chemolithotrophic

adjective

Describing an organism that derives its energy from the oxidation of inorganic materials.

OriginAncient Greek τροφῐκός (trophĭkós) ← English litho- ← New Latin chēmīa →
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Meanings

adjectivechemolithotrophic (comparative more chemolithotrophic, superlative most chemolithotrophic)

comparative more chemolithotrophic · superlative most chemolithotrophic

  1. biologyDescribing an organism that derives its energy from the oxidation of inorganic materials.

Origin

  1. New Latinchēmīa
  2. Englishchemo-
  3. Ancient Greekλῐ́θος (lĭ́thos)
  4. Englishlitho-
  5. Ancient Greekτροφῐκός (trophĭkós)
  6. Englishchemolithotrophic

From chemo- + litho- + -trophic.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

chemolithotrophic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chemolithotrophic

MLA

“chemolithotrophic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chemolithotrophic. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “chemolithotrophic,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/chemolithotrophic.

Source: chemolithotrophic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.