xerophilous plant
- noun
- /ˌzɪəroʊˈfɪləs plænt/
- Specialized
- Many xerophilous plants have thick, waxy leaves to minimize water loss.
Examples
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The cactus is a classic example of a xerophilous plant found in desert regions.
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Many xerophilous plants can store water efficiently.
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Botanists study xerophilous plants to understand how life adapts to extreme dryness.
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The xerophilous plant thrives in arid conditions.
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The cactus is a classic example of a xerophilous plant found in desert regions.
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Many xerophilous plants have thick, waxy leaves to minimize water loss.
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Botanists study xerophilous plants to understand how life adapts to extreme dryness.
Synonyms
A plant that can live with very little water, for example a cactus
A plant that lives in very dry places, like a cactus, and stores water
A plant that can live with very little water
A plant or living thing that lives where there is very little water
Antonyms
How Drought-Tolerant
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
xerophilous + plant
The phrase is fully compositional: the adjective 'xerophilous' (meaning dry‑loving or adapted to low water) modifies 'plant', so the combined meaning — a plant adapted to very dry conditions — is directly derivable from the constituents. While 'xerophilous' is a low‑frequency, technical item that many B1 learners may not know, if a learner does know that adjective the compound is transparent.
Etymology
Xerophilous plant comes from old Greek word parts: xero- meaning 'dry' and -philous meaning 'loving'. It literally says a plant that 'likes' dry places, so it means a plant that can live with very little water.