phytophagy

P3H4Y4T1O1P3H4A1G2Y4

noun

The eating of plants.

Similar
herbivorousnessherbivory
OriginAncient Greek ἔφᾰγον (éphăgon) ← Proto-Indo-European *bʰh₂g- ← English phyto- →
Scrabble 27
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Meanings

nounphytophagy (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologyThe eating of plants.

    Synonyms: herbivorousness, herbivory

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe eating of plants.

Similar
herbivorousnessherbivory
Also see
herbivorousnessherbivory

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰuH-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰuHyéti
  3. Ancient Greekφῠ́ω (phŭ́ō)
  4. Ancient Greekφῠτός (phŭtós)
  5. Ancient Greekφῠτόν (phŭtón)
  6. Englishphyto-
  7. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂g-
  8. Proto-Indo-European*bʰh₂g-
  9. Ancient Greekἔφᾰγον (éphăgon)
  10. Englishphytophagy

From phyto- (“plant”) + -phagy (“to feed on”).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

phytophagy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phytophagy

MLA

“phytophagy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phytophagy. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “phytophagy,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/phytophagy.

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