zoophyte

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Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /ˈzəʊəfaɪt/, /ˈzuːfaɪt/

Noun

zoophyte (plural zoophytes)

1. (biology, historical) An animal thought to have the characteristics of a plant, later specifically an invertebrate of the (former) group Zoophyta, comprising sponges, corals and sea anemones. [from 17th c.]
2. (biology, historical) A plant believed to have the characteristics of an animal, especially a sensitive plant or vegetable lamb. [from 17th c.]
   • 1665, Robert Hooke, Micrographia, XIX:

     And besides, as there are many Zoophyts, and sensitive Plants […] so have we, in some Authors, Instances of Plants turning into Animals, and Animals into Plants, and the like […]

Translations

• Italian: zoofito
• Russian: зоофи́т
• Spanish: zoófito

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