-tropic

Origin

Borrowed from , from τροπή ("turn; solstice; trope"). Compare trope and tropic.

Full definition of -tropic

Suffix

1. (science) turning or changing
2. (science) affecting or attracted to the thing specified

Usage notes

Frequently confused with -trophic ("growth, development; nutrition"), which is instead from , from τροφή ("food").

“Trophic vs. Tropic”, Werner Steinberg, JAMA, May 3, 1952, 149(1), p. 82, doi:10.1001/jama.1952.02930180084027. Compare tropic hormone (drives other glands) and trophic hormone (affects growth) and tropo-/tropho-.

Derived terms

Related terms

• trope, -trope
• tropic
• tropism
• -tropism
• tropo-
• -tropy

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