abiotic
adjective
abi·ot·ic ˌā-(ˌ)bī-ˈä-tik 
: not biotic : abiological
the abiotic environment
abiotically
ˌā-(ˌ)bī-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But subsequent studies showed the putative microfossils could have easily been produced by several other entirely abiotic routes. 
Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 23 Nov. 2021 Another was a sample from the Murchison meteorite, a bolide rich in organic (but abiotic) carbon compounds that fell to Earth in 1969. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 23 Nov. 2021 Furthermore, the curved and bent filaments seem to rule out any abiotic look-alikes. Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2021 Importantly, however, these elemental proportions change in accordance with cell size, allowing for an additional check on any curiously consistent but possibly abiotic chemical ratios on another world. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021 The trouble is that many simple biosignatures can be produced both by living things and through abiotic geochemical processes. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021 Right here on our own planet, structures suggested to be of organismal origins are often later shown to have abiotic provenance. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2021 Some of these abiotic pathways would not only produce an excess of oxygen, but would also render a planet totally lifeless. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 22 Feb. 2017 Wheat, rice, corn, barley, rye and oats are some of the grasses that can be self-pollinated but also utilize biotic and abiotic (wind) pollinators. Jodi Bay, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2021 See More
Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 23 Nov. 2021 Another was a sample from the Murchison meteorite, a bolide rich in organic (but abiotic) carbon compounds that fell to Earth in 1969. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 23 Nov. 2021 Furthermore, the curved and bent filaments seem to rule out any abiotic look-alikes. Jennifer Frazer, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2021 Importantly, however, these elemental proportions change in accordance with cell size, allowing for an additional check on any curiously consistent but possibly abiotic chemical ratios on another world. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021 The trouble is that many simple biosignatures can be produced both by living things and through abiotic geochemical processes. Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021 Right here on our own planet, structures suggested to be of organismal origins are often later shown to have abiotic provenance. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2021 Some of these abiotic pathways would not only produce an excess of oxygen, but would also render a planet totally lifeless. Lee Billings, Scientific American, 22 Feb. 2017 Wheat, rice, corn, barley, rye and oats are some of the grasses that can be self-pollinated but also utilize biotic and abiotic (wind) pollinators. Jodi Bay, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
a- entry 2 + biotic
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
abiotic
adjective
abi·ot·ic ˌā-(ˌ)bi-ˈät-ik
: not biotic : abiological
the abiotic environment