thigmotropism

[ thig-mo-truh-piz-uhm ]

nounBiology.
  1. oriented growth of an organism in response to mechanical contact, as a plant tendril coiling around a string support.

Origin of thigmotropism

1
First recorded in 1890–95; from Greek thígm(a) “a touch” + -o- + -tropism

Other words from thigmotropism

  • thig·mo·trop·ic [thig-muh-trop-ik, -troh-pik], /ˌθɪg məˈtrɒp ɪk, -ˈtroʊ pɪk/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for thigmotropism

thigmotropism

/ (ˌθɪɡməʊˈtrəʊpɪzəm) /


noun
  1. the directional growth of a plant, in response to the stimulus of direct contact: Also called: haptotropism, stereotropism

Origin of thigmotropism

1
C19: from Greek thigma touch + -tropism

Derived forms of thigmotropism

  • thigmotropic, adjective

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