geotaxis

[ jee-oh-tak-sis ]

noun

, Biology.

1. oriented movement of a motile organism toward or away from a gravitational force.

geotaxis

/ ˌdʒiːəʊˈtæksɪs /

noun

1. movement of an organism in response to the stimulus of gravity

Derived Forms

• ˌgeoˈtactically, adverb
• ˌgeoˈtactic, adjective

Other Words From

• ge·o·tac·tic [jee-oh-, tak, -tik], adjective
• geo·tacti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of geotaxis¹

First recorded in 1960–65; geo- + -taxis

Example Sentences

O. scapulalis does not exhibit this descending behavior, called geotaxis.

From New York Times