calcicolous
/ˌkæl.sɪˈkəʊ.ləs/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Growing on or living in chalky or limestone-rich soil or rock. It is used mainly in biology and ecology.
- Calcicolous plants grow well on limestone.
- This area has many calcicolous species.
- The survey noted several calcicolous mosses.
Adinary Nuance
Calcicolous is more specific than "lime-loving" or "soil-growing". It names organisms that prefer calcareous ground, especially in scientific writing. Use it when you want a precise ecological term, not a general description.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sống trên đất đá vôi
- Spanish
- calcícola
- Chinese
- 喜钙的
- Japanese
- 石灰質土壌に生える
- Korean
- 석회질 토양의
Etymology
From Latin calx, calc- meaning "lime" or "chalk," and -colous, meaning "inhabiting". The word entered scientific English in the 19th century.
Common phrases
calcicolous plantscalcicolous speciescalcicolous habitat
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is calcicolous a common everyday word?
- No. It is mainly used in biology, botany, and ecology.
- What is the difference between calcicolous and calcareous?
- Calcicolous describes living things that grow on chalky ground. Calcareous describes soil or rock that contains lime or calcium.
- Can I use calcicolous in academic writing?
- Yes. It is a good scientific word when you need a precise term.