zoophyte

See also: zoöphyte

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From zoo- +‎ -phyte, after Middle French zoophyte; later reinforced by scientific Latin Zoophyta.

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈzəʊəfaɪt/, /ˈzuːfaɪt/

Noun

zoophyte (plural zoophytes)

(biology, now historical) An animal thought to have the characteristics of a plant, later specifically an invertebrate of the (former) group Zoophyta, comprising sponges, corals and sea anemones. [from 17th c.]
(biology, now historical) A plant believed to have the characteristics of an animal, especially a sensitive plant or vegetable lamb. [from 17th c.]
- 1665, Robert Hooke, Micrographia, XIX:
  And besides, as there are many Zoophyts, and sensitive Plants […] so have we, in some Authors, Instances of Plants turning into Animals, and Animals into Plants, and the like […].

Derived terms

Translations

invertebrate animal which resembles plants

Finnish: zoofyytti
Ido: zoofito (io)
Irish: zóifít f
Italian: zoofito m

Malay: zoofit
Polish: zwierzokrzew m
Spanish: zoófito (es)

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