English Explanatory Dictionary

abiotic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Nonliving, inanimate, characterised by the absence of life; of inorganic matter.
  2. Tending to inhibit or destroy life; antibiotic; incompatible with life.
noun
  1. Any such material

Pronunciation

/ˌeɪ.baɪˈɑt.ɪk/ en-ca-abiotic.ogg

Word forms

abiotic abiotics

Etymology

First attested in 1874. From a- + biotic, the first element from Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) and the second from Ancient Greek βιωτικός (biōtikós, “of life”), from βίος (bíos, “life”) + -ῐκός (-ĭkós).

Synonyms

nonbiological nonbiologic

Related words

abiogenesis abiogenetic abiogenic abiosis antibiosis antibiotic gnotobiotic xenobiotic

Derived words

abiotically
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