thigmotropism

[ thig-mo-truh-piz-uhm ]

noun

, Biology.

1. oriented growth of an organism in response to mechanical contact, as a plant tendril coiling around a string support.

thigmotropism

/ ˌθɪɡməʊˈtrəʊpɪzəm /

noun

1. the directional growth of a plant, in response to the stimulus of direct contact Also calledhaptotropismstereotropism

Derived Forms

• ˌthigmoˈtropic, adjective

Other Words From

• thig·mo·trop·ic [thig-m, uh, -, trop, -ik, -, troh, -pik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thigmotropism¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from Greek thígm(a) “a touch” + -o- ( def ) + -tropism

Word History and Origins

Origin of thigmotropism¹

C19: from Greek thigma touch + -tropism

Example Sentences

Several kinds of tropisms are recognized, such as phototropism or heliotropism, reaction to light; thermotropism, reaction to heat; electrotropism or galvanotropism, to electric current; geotropism, to gravity; chemotropism, to a chemical; rheotropism, to current; thigmotropism or stereotropism, to contact; and chromotropism, to color.

From Project Gutenberg