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n. - An organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium.

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Usage examples (13)
  • Reminded me very much of Pier’s Anthony’s discourse on fungi in I think Omnivore, where I saw the word saprophyte for the first time.
  • Her education, week after week, consisted of mindless memorization of big words like "batholith" and "saprophyte" - words that an average Ph.D. scientist wouldn't know.
  • Growing on decayed tree stumps I frequently found a saprophyte
  • Technically a bad fungus would be a parasite and a good fungus would be a saprophyte.
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