photophilicadj.
/ˌfəʊtə(ʊ)ˈfɪlɪk/, U.S. /ˌfoʊdəˈfɪlɪk/ Chiefly Biology.
Tending to move towards or thrive in regions of greater light intensity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > movement > movement in response to stimuli > [adjective] > response to light
phototactic1882
phototropic1883
photophilous1890
photopathic1897
photophil1897
heliotactic1898
photokinetic1900
photophilic1900
1900 A. J. Ewart tr. W. Pfeffer Physiol. Plants I. vii. 358 Even for light-loving (photophilic) plants bright diffuse daylight seems as a general rule to be preferable to strong sunlight.
1965 Jrnl. Ecol. 53 523 The subsequent development of a tree canopy may well increase the degree and scale of selection operating against the pioneer, photophilic species.
1992 Marine Ecol. 13 102 Off Cabrera these sponges display photophilic behaviour, while in the continental littoral zone they are usually restricted to dark habitats.
2001 AI Mag. (Nexis) 22 Dec. 133 This control program produces a graded photophilic behavior, with the robot turning ever faster as it approaches a light source.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1900- agricultural college
- agricultural engineer
- agricultural engineering
- agricultural entomology
- agricultural fair
- agricultural implements
- agricultural revolution
- agricultural science
- agricultural scientist
- agricultural show
- agriculturalist
- agriculturalists
- agriculturally
- agriculture
- agriculturer
- agricultures
- agriculturism
- agriculturist
- agriculturists
- agrief
- agrifishing
- agrifood
- agriforestry
- agrigenetics
- agrihorticulture