Synonym for saprophyte ... <microbiology> An organism whose nutrition involves uptake of dissolved organic material from decaying plant or animal matter. ... Origin: Gr. Phyton = plant ... (18 Nov 1997) ... 
Type: Term Pronunciation: nek′rō-par′ă-sīt Synonyms: saprophyte
necroparasite A parasite that decomposes nonliving organic matter to obtain nutrients that are then absorbed through cell membranes.