saprobe

[ sap-rohb ]

noun

, Biology.

1. saprophyte.

saprobe

/ ˈsæprəʊb /

noun

1. an organism, esp a fungus, that lives on decaying organisms; a saprotroph See also saprophyte

Derived Forms

• sapˈrobic, adjective

Other Words From

• sa·pro·bic [s, uh, -, proh, -bik, -, prob, -ik], adjective
• sa·probi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of saprobe¹

First recorded in 1932; sapro- + (micro)be

Word History and Origins

Origin of saprobe¹

C20: from Greek, from sapro- + bios life

Example Sentences

"The snake fungus has the ability, just like the bat fungus, to live as a saprobe, consuming dead organic matter," Miller said.

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