holoparasitic

adjective

ho·​lo·​par·​a·​sit·​ic ˌhō-lō-ˌper-ə-ˈsi-tik How to pronounce holoparasitic (audio)
-ˌpa-rə-
botany
: of, relating to, or being a parasitic plant (such as dodder) that is not capable of photosynthesis and obtains all nutrients and water from a host plant
In addition to constituting the only angiosperms lacking leaves, species of Hydnoraceae are further distinguished by being holoparasitic plants …Erika E. Maass et al.
holoparasite noun
plural holoparasites

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of holoparasitic was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near holoparasitic

Cite this Entry

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

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