edaphon

noun

ed·​a·​phon

ˈedəˌfän

plural -s

: the animal and plant life present in soils compare plankton

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary edaph- (from Greek edaphos) + -on (as in plankton); originally formed in German

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!