eurytopic

adjective

eu·​ry·​top·​ic ˌyu̇r-i-ˈtä-pik 

: tolerant of wide variation in one or more environmental factors

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Eurytopic evolved in the 1930s along with "stenotopic," which means "having a narrow range of adaptability to changes in environmental conditions." Both words are rooted in Greek, with eurys meaning "broad" or "wide," stenos meaning "close" or "narrow," and topos meaning "place." Eurytopic species can typically be found in a broad range of places. An example would be the perch, a fish that can be found in ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. By contrast, stenotopic species inhabit a narrow region. Examples include the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper as well as the plants, animals, and other organisms bearing a specific area-related name, such as the Indiana Bat.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary eury- + Greek topos place

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eurytopic

• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• isotropic
• macroscopic
• microscopic
• orthotopic

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