Definition

A living thing that eats dead plants and animals, helping to break them down into smaller pieces.

Example

Earthworms are a common type of detritivore that help enrich the soil.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a detritivore?

Yeah, I think those are the organisms that eat dead plants and animals, right?

Exactly! They play a huge role in breaking down organic matter.

It's fascinating how they help recycle nutrients in the ecosystem.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Detritivore → It is formed from "detritus" (from Latin *detritus*, meaning worn away or rubbed off) and "-vore" (from Latin *vorare*, meaning to devour). A detritivore is an organism that feeds on decomposing organic matter, essentially devouring what has been worn away or broken down.

Memory Tip

Think of 'detritus' as something that has been 'worn away' and 'vore' as 'devouring' — a detritivore is an organism that devours decomposed material.

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