tropism
[ troh-piz-uh m ]
/ ˈtroʊ pɪz əm /
noun Biology.
an orientation of an organism to an external stimulus, as light, especially by growth rather than by movement.
Origin of tropism
First recorded in 1895–1900; independent use of
-tropism
OTHER WORDS FROM tropism
tro·pis·mat·ic [troh-piz-mat-ik] /ˌtroʊ pɪzˈmæt ɪk/, adjective tro·pis·tic [troh-pis-tik] /troʊˈpɪs tɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby tropism
tropical typhus,
tropical year,
tropicalize,
tropicbird,
tropine,
tropism,
tropo-,
tropocollagen,
tropology,
tropomyosin,
troponin
Definition for tropism (2 of 2)
Example sentences from the Web for tropism
British Dictionary definitions for tropism (1 of 2)
tropism
/ (ˈtrəʊpɪzəm) /
noun
the response of an organism, esp a plant, to an external stimulus by growth in a direction determined by the stimulus
Derived forms of tropism
tropismatic, adjective tropistic (trəʊˈpɪstɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for tropism
from Greek
tropos a turn
British Dictionary definitions for tropism (2 of 2)
-tropism
-tropy
n combining form
indicating a tendency to turn or develop in response to a certain stimulus
phototropism
Word Origin for -tropism
from Greek
tropos a turn
Medical definitions for tropism (1 of 2)
tropism
[ trō′pĭz′əm ]
n.
The turning or bending movement of a living organism or part toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat, or gravity.
Other words from tropism
tro′pic, tro•pis′tic adj.Medical definitions for tropism (2 of 2)
-tropism
suff.
Tropism:stereotropism.
Scientific definitions for tropism
tropism
[ trō′pĭz′əm ]
The growth or movement of a living organism or anatomical structure toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat, or gravity. See also geotropism hydrotropism phototropism.