floricolous
|flo-ri-col-ous|
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/flɔːˈrɪkələs/
🇬🇧
/flɒˈrɪkələs/
living on or visiting flowers
Etymology
'floricolous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'floricolus', where 'flori-' meant 'flower' (from Latin 'flos, floris') and '-colous' (from Latin 'colere') meant 'dwelling in or on'.
'floricolous' was formed in New Latin by combining 'flori-' + '-colous' and entered English as a specialized scientific adjective (chiefly biological/botanical) in the 19th century.
Initially it meant 'dwelling on flowers' in a literal, biological sense; over time it has retained this specialized meaning and is used chiefly in scientific descriptions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
living on or visiting flowers (used of organisms, especially insects, that feed on or inhabit flowers).
Many species of bees and flies are floricolous, visiting flowers to gather nectar and pollen.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
occurring on or growing on flowers (botanical usage).
Some fungi are floricolous, developing fruiting bodies on the petals of certain flowers.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/09 05:49