xer-, xero-, xir-
(Greek: dry)
xeriscape, xeriscaping
1. An environmental design of residential and park land using various methods for minimizing the need for water use.
2. A trademark used for a landscaping method that employs drought-resistant plants in an effort to conserve resources, especially water.
2. A trademark used for a landscaping method that employs drought-resistant plants in an effort to conserve resources, especially water.
A word coined by combining xeros, Greek for "dry", with landscape, which is a water-conservative approach to landscaping.
Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.
Xeriscape is a trademark created by the Denver Water Board. In some areas, the term xeriscape has acquired a negative connotation (some have derogatively or ignorantly called it "zero-scaping") and so terms; such as, "drought tolerant landscaping" and "smart scaping" have been substituted.
xerochasy, xerochastic
1. The opening of seed pods and the dispersal of seeds which is induced by dry conditions.
2. A reference to seed capsules that open only when they dry out.
3. Seed dispersal caused by desiccation.
2. A reference to seed capsules that open only when they dry out.
3. Seed dispersal caused by desiccation.
xerocheilia
A dryness of the lips; a type of cheilitis.
The region of the earth's surface covered by dry desert.
xerocleistogamy, xerocleistogamic
Self-pollination within flowers that remain unopened because of inadequate moisture.
xerocoline (adjective), more xerocoline, most xerocoline
A biological species that thrives in a dry habitat.
xerocollyrium
A medication intended to lubricate the surface of an eye which is deficient in lacrimal secretions.
xerocolous (adjective), more xerocolous, most xerocolous
Signifying plants or animals living within dry conditions.
xerocyte
An erythrocyte that is dehydrated and appears to have "puddled" at one end, seeming half dark and half light.
xerocytosis
A membrane defect in the red blood cells that permits the loss of excess potassium ions and water, causing dehydration of the cells.
xeroderma, xerodermia, xerodermosis
1. Having excessively dry skin. Also, dermatoxerasia and xerodermia.
2. Roughness and dryness of the skin; mild ichthyosis.
2. Roughness and dryness of the skin; mild ichthyosis.
xerodermatic
A reference to or indicating xeroderma.
xerogel
1. A gel that contains the minimum possible amount of liquid.
2. A gel whose final form contains little or none of the dispersion medium that was used.
2. A gel whose final form contains little or none of the dispersion medium that was used.
In botany, a perennial plant that enters a resting state during periods of drought: A potato plant is a xerogeophyte in that its leaf cells take in more water from the earth to continue a stable leaf water condition and thus remain alive during a dry period or lack of rain.
xerohylophilous
In biology, dwelling and thriving in dry forests.
Cross reference of another word family related to: "dry": arid-.
