tropism

¹

[ troh-piz-uhm ]

noun

, Biology.

1. an orientation of an organism to an external stimulus, as light, especially by growth rather than by movement.

-tropism

²

1. variant of -tropy.

tropism

¹

/ trəʊˈpɪstɪk; ˈtrəʊpɪzəm /

noun

1. the response of an organism, esp a plant, to an external stimulus by growth in a direction determined by the stimulus

-tropism

²

combining form

1. indicating a tendency to turn or develop in response to a certain stimulus

   phototropism

tropism

/ trō′pĭz′əm /

1. The growth or movement of a living organism or anatomical structure toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light, heat, or gravity.
2. See also geotropism

Derived Forms

• ˌtropisˈmatic, adjective
• tropistic, adjective

Other Words From

• tro·pis·mat·ic [troh-piz-, mat, -ik], adjective
• tro·pis·tic [troh-, pis, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropism¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; independent use of -tropism

Origin of tropism²

-tropy, -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropism¹

from Greek tropos a turn

Origin of tropism²

from Greek tropos a turn

Example Sentences

“The lack of efficient lung tropism in previous Omicron lineages contributed to their mild presentation without immediate hospitalization requirements.”

From Salon

We demonstrated a yearning to correct our mistakes and, I think, a tropism toward goodness.

From New York Times

Yet the most consistent and powerful sense at Armani shows is of a tropism toward the war years and the images of them that he has retained.

From New York Times

We decided to search for viral protein sequences that could be important for tissue tropism.

From Nature

“The president’s psychology is what’s driving so much of this, and it’s alarming because it shows a lack of self-control, a tremendous tropism. . . . He seems to draw psychic energy from creating chaos and disorder.”

From Washington Post