zoophyte
See also: zoöphyte
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From zoo- + -phyte, after Middle French zoophyte; later reinforced by scientific Latin Zoophyta.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
zoophyte (plural zoophytes)
- (biology, historical) An animal thought to have the characteristics of a plant, later specifically an invertebrate of the (former) group Zoophyta, comprising sponges, corals and sea anemones. [from 17th c.]
- (biology, historical) A plant believed to have the characteristics of an animal, especially a sensitive plant or vegetable lamb. [from 17th c.]
- 1665, Robert Hooke, Micrographia, section XIX:
- And besides, as there are many Zoophyts, and sensitive Plants […] so have we, in some Authors, Instances of Plants turning into Animals, and Animals into Plants, and the like […]
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
French edit
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file)
Noun edit
zoophyte m (plural zoophytes)
Further reading edit
- “zoophyte”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.