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periphyton

[ puh-rif-i-ton ]

noun

, Ecology.
  1. the community of tiny organisms, as protozoans, hydras, insect larvae, and snails, that lives on the surfaces of rooted aquatic plants.


periphyton

/ pəˈrɪfɪˌtɒn /

noun

  1. aquatic organisms, such as certain algae, that live attached to rocks or other surfaces
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • per·i·phyt·ic [per-, uh, -, fit, -ik], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of periphyton1

1940–45; probably peri- + Greek phŷton plant, -phyte, on the model of plankton
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Word History and Origins

Origin of periphyton1

C20: from Greek, from peri- + phutos, from phuein to grow

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periphrasticperiplasm