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Glite Dictionary
rupicolous

rupicolous

9.9
Living, growing, or written on rocks like plants and paintings
  • adjective
  • /ˌruːpɪˈkɒləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rupícola
  • The rupicolous mosses thrived in the cracks of the granite boulders.

Examples

  • Many ancient rupicolous paintings have been preserved in mountain caves.

  • Researchers discovered rupicolous plants adapted uniquely to bare rock surfaces.

  • The rupicolous species thrive in rocky environments.

  • Many rupicolous plants can be found in the Himalayas.

  • Researchers discovered rupicolous plants adapted uniquely to bare rock surfaces.

  • Many ancient rupicolous paintings have been preserved in mountain caves.

  • The rupicolous mosses thrived in the cracks of the granite boulders.

Synonyms

rupestrian
vsrupicolous
  • Specialized
9.9

Living or growing among rocks

includes things carved or written directly on rock surfaces

Compounds

rupicolous plant
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant that grows on or among rocks

Surface Forms

rupicolous positive

Morphology

rupicolous = rupi + col + ous

This is a learned scientific formation whose parts are not common English words, so an average B1 learner would not reliably infer the meaning from them.

Etymology

Rupicolous comes from Latin rupes 'rock' and the ending -colous 'living on', which is the same root as colony 'a place where people live'. So, rupicolous literally means 'rock-living' and describes plants or animals that live or grow on rocks.