autotrophic
adjective
au·to·tro·phic ˌȯ-tə-ˈtrō-fik 
1
: requiring only carbon dioxide or carbonates as a source of carbon and a simple inorganic nitrogen compound for metabolic synthesis of organic molecules (such as glucose)
autotrophic plants
compare heterotrophic 2
: not requiring a specified exogenous factor for normal metabolism
autotrophically
ˌȯ-tə-ˈtrō-fi-k(ə-)lē
adverb autotrophy
ȯ-ˈtä-trə-fē
noun 
Word History
Etymology
probably from German autotroph, from Greek autotrophos supplying one's own food, from aut- + trephein to nourish
First Known Use
1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
autotrophic
adjective
au·to·tro·phic ˌȯt-ə-ˈtrō-fik
1
: needing only carbon dioxide or carbonates as a source of carbon and a simple inorganic nitrogen compound for metabolic synthesis
2
: not requiring a specified exogenous factor for normal metabolism