Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An organism, such as a bacterium, fungus, or insect, that feeds on dead plant or animal matter.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun biology An
organism that feeds ondetritus ; asaprophage
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[German Detritivor : Latin dētrītus, something worn away, detritus (from past participle of dēterere, to lessen, wear away; see detriment) + Latin -vorus, eating, feeding on; see –vorous.]
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Examples
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The larvae generally start their life as herbivores or detritivore, but shift to an omnivorous or carnivorous diet in later stages.
Insecta (Aquatic) 2008
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Therefore, the adults display detritivore and herbivore.
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Therefore, the adults display detritivore and herbivore.
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Therefore, the adults display detritivore and herbivore.
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Therefore, the adults display detritivore and herbivore.
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Therefore, the adults display detritivore and herbivore.
ambyellen commented on the word detritivore
If you like to eat delicious, decaying organic matter, you might be a detritivore!
April 13, 2010
bilby commented on the word detritivore
Cool word.
March 7, 2018