epigeal

or ep·i·ge·an

[ ep-i-jee-uhl ]

adjective

1. Entomology. living near the surface of the ground, as on low herbs or other surface vegetation.
2. Botany. epigeous.

epigeal

/ ˌɛpɪˈdʒiːəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to seed germination in which the cotyledons appear above the ground because of the growth of the hypocotyl
2. living or growing on or close to the surface of the ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of epigeal¹

First recorded in 1860–65; epige(ous) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of epigeal¹

C19: from Greek epigeios of the earth, from epi- + gē earth