hemiparasitic
adjective
hemi·par·a·sit·ic
ˌhe-mē-ˌper-ə-ˈsi-tik 
-ˌpa-rə-
botany
: of, relating to, or being a plant (such as mistletoe) that possesses chlorophyll and typically carries out photosynthesis but is partially parasitic on the roots or shoots of a plant host : semiparasitic
hemiparasitic species
compare holoparasitic
hemiparasite
ˌhe-mē-ˈper-ə-ˌsīt
noun
-ˈpa-rə-
plural hemiparasites
Botanists categorize mistletoes as hemiparasites—plants that can make food through photosynthesis after siphoning water and mineral nutrients from a host plant …
—
Laura A. Sessions
Laura A. Sessions
Examples of hemiparasitic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead, experts consider mistletoe as hemiparasitic.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Dec. 2023
Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hemiparasitic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1899, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hemiparasitic
Cite this Entry
“Hemiparasitic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemiparasitic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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