hydrotropism

noun

hy·​drot·​ro·​pism hī-ˈdrä-trə-ˌpi-zəm  ˌhī-drə-ˈtrō-ˌpi-zəm  -ˈträ- 

: a tropism (as in plant roots) in which water or water vapor is the orienting factor

hydrotropic

ˌhī-drə-ˈtrō-pik  -ˈträ- 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from German Hydrotropismus, from hydro- hydro- + -tropismus -tropism

First Known Use

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hydrotropism

noun

hy·​drot·​ro·​pism hī-ˈdrä-trə-ˌpiz-əm 

: a tropism (as in plant roots) in which water or water vapor causes the movement

hydrotropic

ˌhī-drə-ˈtrō-pik 

-ˈträp-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

hydrotropism

noun

hy·​dro·​tro·​pism hī-ˈdrä-trə-ˌpiz-əm; ˌhī-drə-ˈtrō-ˌpiz-əm  -ˈträ- 

: a tropism in which water or water vapor is the orienting factor