sap·ro·phyt·ic I. \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|fid.ik\adjective Etymology:saprophyte + -ic : obtaining food by absorbing dissolved organic material : obtaining nourishment osmotically from the products of organic breakdown and decay < saprophytic plants and animals > — compare autotrophic, holophytic, holozoic; see saprozoic • sap·ro·phyt·i·cal·ly\-ə̇k(ə)lē\adverb II. noun (-s) : a saprophytic organism