1
: plant having a (specified) characteristic or habitat
xerophyte
2
: pathological outgrowth
osteophyte

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek phytón "plant" — more at phyto-

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Cite this Entry

“-phyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/-phyte. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

-phyte

noun combining form
ˌfīt
: plant having a (specified) characteristic or habitat
sporophyte
Etymology

from Greek phyton "plant"

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