tropism
1 of 2noun
tro·pism ˈtrō-ˌpi-zəm 
1
a
: involuntary orientation by an organism or one of its parts that involves turning or curving by movement or by differential growth and is a positive or negative response to a source of stimulation
b
: a reflex reaction involving a tropism
2
: an innate tendency to react in a definite manner to stimuli
broadly : a natural inclination : propensity
encouraged his tropism toward the theatrical 
John Updike
John Updike tropistic
trō-ˈpi-stik
adjective -tropism
2 of 2noun combining form
: tropism
heliotropism
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Janet Malcolm, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 Is this a late-life aberration, or can the tropism be traced to a deeper angst that was missed in its time? The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2022 In one way, the press conferences are a logical continuation of Trump’s tropism toward spectacle. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2020 Now, as with so much else, Trumpism is changing that tropism in unpredictable ways. Bill Mckibben, New Republic, 6 July 2017
Noun
The music of Bizet and Gounod partakes of this tropism toward the elegant and pleasing. Janet Malcolm, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 Is this a late-life aberration, or can the tropism be traced to a deeper angst that was missed in its time? The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2022 In one way, the press conferences are a logical continuation of Trump’s tropism toward spectacle. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2020 Now, as with so much else, Trumpism is changing that tropism in unpredictable ways. Bill Mckibben, New Republic, 6 July 2017 Word History
Etymology
Noun
generalization of -tropism, after German Tropismus
Noun combining form
-trope or -trop(ic) + -ism, after German -tropismus
First Known Use
Noun
1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
tropism
noun
tro·pism ˈtrō-ˌpiz-əm
: involuntary orientation by an organism or one of its parts that involves turning or curving by movement or by differential growth and is a positive or negative response to a source of stimulation
also : a reflex reaction involving a tropism
- get to work
- get together
- get togged out
- get togged up
- get tongues wagging
- get tough on
- get tough on crime
- get under someone's skin
- get undressed
- get up
- get up on the wrong side of the bed
- get up someone's nose
- get what's coming to one
- get wind of
- get with it
- get with the program
- get with the times
- get wrong
- get your ass back here
- get your oar in
- get-go
- get-goes
- get-of-sire
- get-together
- get-togethers