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nonbiological

nonbiological

1 5.1
A thing not made from living things, for example plastic
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒnˈbaɪəˌlɒdʒɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no biológico
  • Researchers often explore the functions of nonbiological systems to understand complex processes in nature.

Examples

  • In the United States, for example, adoptions of U.S.-born children satisfy between one-half and two-thirds of the total demand for nonbiological children.

    Academic text (2003)
  • In nonbiological physical systems, self-organized patterns are epiphenomena that have no adaptive significance.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Relative hazards of biological agents, chemicals, and nonbiological material as related to feedstocks. PREFORMATTED TABLE Table 2.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The factors in the environment that exert selection—both the biological ones, such as an individual's competitors, predators, and parasites, and the nonbiological ones, such as the weather—are called agents of selection.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Machines that operate using nonbiological methods can perform tasks that are typically done by living organisms.

  • Nonbiological materials, such as metals and plastics, play a critical role in many technological advancements.

Synonyms

inanimate
vsnonbiological
  • Specialized
15 5.6

A noun that means a thing not alive, like a rock or chair

is wider, applying to things or processes not connected to life
abiotic
vsnonbiological
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Not living parts of an environment, like sunlight and temperature

covers lack of relation to living things more broadly than environmental focus
abiological
vsnonbiological
  • Specialized
9.3

Not made by or connected to living things

focuses on lack of relation to life processes rather than origin
anorganic
vsnonbiological
8.1

Not made from plants or animals

refers to absence of relation to life processes rather than material origin
non-living
vsnonbiological
3.7

Not alive, for example stones, water, and machines

applies when something is unrelated to life processes rather than being itself alive

Antonyms

340 3.5

Connected with living things or the science that studies them

How Biological

biological
340 3.5
nonbiological
  • Specialized
1 5.1
inanimate
11 5.3

Surface Forms

nonbiological positive

Morphology

nonbiological = biological (transparent) = non + biology + ical

The adjective 'biological' is straightforwardly negated by the productive prefix 'non-', producing the expected meaning 'not biological'.

Etymology

Nonbiological breaks into non- meaning 'not' and bio meaning 'life', the same root as biology. So nonbiological describes things that are 'not alive' or not part of life processes, such as plastic or other man-made materials.