abiotic

See also: abiòtic

English

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 (-ikós).

Pronunciation

(US) IPA^(key): /ˌeɪ.baɪˈɑt.ɪk/

Adjective

abiotic (not comparable)

Nonliving, inanimate, characterised by the absence of life; of inorganic matter. [Mid 20^th century.][1]
Tending to inhibit or destroy life; antibiotic; incompatible with life. [Mid 20^th century.][1]

Derived terms

abiotically

Translations

Nonliving

Catalan: abiòtic (ca)
Czech: abiotický (cs)
Dutch: abiotisch (nl), levenloos (nl)
Finnish: abioottinen (fi)
French: abiotique (fr)

Greek: αβιοτικός (el) (aviotikós)
Irish: aibitheach
Portuguese: abiótico (pt)
Romanian: abiotic (ro)
Spanish: abiótico (es)

Of inorganic matter

Dutch: ongeschikt voor leven

Portuguese: abiótico (pt)

References

“abiotic” in Lesley Brown, editor, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 4.

[SOED-1] “abiotic” in Lesley Brown, editor, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 4.