xerophilous

[ zi-rof-uh-luhs ]

adjective

1. Botany. growing in or adapted to dry, especially dry and hot, regions.
2. Zoology. living or flourishing in a dry environment.

xerophilous

/ ˈzɪərəʊˌfaɪl; zɪˈrɒfɪləs /

adjective

1. (of plants or animals) adapted for growing or living in dry surroundings

Derived Forms

• xerophile, noun
• xeˈrophily, noun

Other Words From

• xe·rophi·ly noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of xerophilous¹

First recorded in 1860–65; xero- + -philous

Example Sentences

Experimental induction of the breeding season in a xerophilous bird.

From Project Gutenberg

Still the flora outside the Hills and the submontane tract is predominantly of the desert type, being xerophilous or drought-resisting.

From Project Gutenberg

Xerophilous: applied to species living in dry places.

From Project Gutenberg

In this connexion it is noteworthy that so many of the higher forms are adapted as bulbous geophytes, or as aerophytes to special xerophilous conditions.

From Project Gutenberg