phreatophyte

noun

phre·​at·​o·​phyte frē-ˈa-tə-ˌfīt How to pronounce phreatophyte (audio)
: a deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it
phreatophytic adjective

Word History

Etymology

Greek phreat-, phrear well + English -o- + -phyte

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phreatophyte was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near phreatophyte

Cite this Entry

“Phreatophyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phreatophyte. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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