polytrophic

[ pol-ee-trof-ik, -troh-fik ]
/ ˌpɒl iˈtrɒf ɪk, -ˈtroʊ fɪk /

adjective

(of certain bacteria) deriving nourishment from many organic substances.

Origin of polytrophic

First recorded in 1655–65; poly- + -trophic

British Dictionary definitions for polytrophic

polytrophic
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈtrɒfɪk) /

adjective

(esp of bacteria) obtaining food from several different organic sources