types:
benthos
organisms (plants and animals) that live at or near the bottom of a sea
dwarf
a plant or animal that is atypically small
parent
an organism (plant or animal) from which younger ones are obtained
native
indigenous plants and animals
recombinant
a cell or organism in which genetic recombination has occurred
conspecific
an organism belonging to the same species as another organism
carrier
(genetics) an organism that possesses a recessive gene whose effect is masked by a dominant allele; the associated trait is not apparent but can be passed on to offspring
denizen
a plant or animal naturalized in a region
amphidiploid
(genetics) an organism or cell having a diploid set of chromosomes from each parent
diploid
(genetics) an organism or cell having the normal amount of DNA per cell; i.e., two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number
haploid
(genetics) an organism or cell having only one complete set of chromosomes
heteroploid
(genetics) an organism or cell having a chromosome number that is not an even multiple of the haploid chromosome number for that species
polyploid
(genetics) an organism or cell having more than twice the haploid number of chromosomes
aerobe
an organism (especially a bacterium) that requires air or free oxygen for life
anaerobe
an organism (especially a bacterium) that does not require air or free oxygen to live
cross,
crossbreed,
hybrid
(genetics) an organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species
polymorph
an organism that can assume more than one adult form as in the castes of ants or termites
plankton
the aggregate of small plant and animal organisms that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or salt water
nekton
the aggregate of actively swimming animals in a body of water ranging from microscopic organisms to whales
parasite
an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
host
an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association
commensal
either of two different animal or plant species living in close association but not interdependent
myrmecophile
an organism such as an insect that habitually shares the nest of a species of ant
eucaryote,
eukaryote
an organism with cells characteristic of all life forms except primitive microorganisms such as bacteria; i.e. an organism with `good' or membrane-bound nuclei in its cells
procaryote,
prokaryote
a unicellular organism having cells lacking membrane-bound nuclei; bacteria are the prime example but also included are blue-green algae and actinomycetes and mycoplasma
zooid
one of the distinct individuals forming a colonial animal such as a bryozoan or hydrozoan
clon,
clone
a group of genetically identical cells or organisms derived from a single cell or individual by some kind of asexual reproduction
atavist,
throwback
an organism that has the characteristics of a more primitive type of that organism
mascot
a person or animal that is adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure
sitter
an organism (person or animal) that sits
stander
an organism (person or animal) that stands
fungus
an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia
relict
an organism or species surviving as a remnant of an otherwise extinct flora or fauna in an environment much changed from that in which it originated
saprobe
an organism that lives in and derives its nourishment from organic matter in stagnant or foul water
katharobe
an organism that lives in an oxygenated medium lacking organic matter
pest
any unwanted and destructive insect or other animal that attacks food or crops or livestock etc.
critter
a regional term for `creature' (especially for domestic animals)
creepy-crawly
an animal that creeps or crawls (such as worms or spiders or insects)
darter
a person or other animal that moves abruptly and rapidly
peeper
an animal that makes short high-pitched sounds
ectotherm,
poikilotherm
an animal whose body temperature varies with the temperature of its surroundings; any animal except birds and mammals
range animal
any animal that lives and grazes in the grassy open land of western North America (especially horses, cattle, sheep)
varment,
varmint
any usually predatory wild animal considered undesirable; e.g., coyote
scavenger
any animal that feeds on refuse and other decaying organic matter
work animal
an animal trained for and used for heavy labor
feeder
an animal that feeds on a particular source of food
migrator
an animal (especially birds and fish) that travels between different habitats at particular times of the year
molter,
moulter
an animal (especially birds and arthropods and reptiles) that periodically shed their outer layer (feathers or cuticle or skin or hair)
pet
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
stayer
a person or other animal having powers of endurance or perseverance
stunt
a creature (especially a whale) that has been prevented from attaining full growth
female
an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes (spermatozoa)
male
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova)
giant
any creature of exceptional size
survivor
an animal that survives in spite of adversity
mutant
an animal that has undergone mutation
herbivore
any animal that feeds chiefly on grass and other plants
acrodont
an animal having teeth consolidated with the summit of the alveolar ridge without sockets
pleurodont
an animal having teeth fused with the inner surface of the alveolar ridge without sockets
monad
(biology) a single-celled microorganism (especially a flagellate protozoan)
dihybrid
a hybrid produced by parents that differ only at two gene loci that have two alleles each
monohybrid
a hybrid produced by crossing parents that are homozygous except for a single gene locus that has two alleles (as in Mendel's experiments with garden peas)
intestinal flora
harmless microorganisms (as Escherichia coli) that inhabit the intestinal tract and are essential for its normal functioning
virus
(virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein
moneran,
moneron
organisms that typically reproduce by asexual budding or fission and whose nutritional mode is absorption or photosynthesis or chemosynthesis
bacteria,
bacterium
(microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants
phytoplankton
photosynthetic or plant constituent of plankton; mainly unicellular algae
zooplankton
animal constituent of plankton; mainly small crustaceans and fish larvae
bug,
germ,
microbe
a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
definitive host
the host in which the sexual reproduction of a parasite takes place
pathogen
any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)
protist,
protistan
free-living or colonial organisms with diverse nutritional and reproductive modes
conceptus,
embryo,
fertilized egg
an animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into fetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life
chordate
any animal of the phylum Chordata having a notochord or spinal column
invertebrate
any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification
metazoan
any animal of the subkingdom Metazoa; all animals except protozoans and sponges
omnivore
an animal that feeds on both animal and vegetable substances
game
animal hunted for food or sport
biped
an animal with two feet
larva
the immature free-living form of most invertebrates and amphibians and fish which at hatching from the egg is fundamentally unlike its parent and must metamorphose
racer
an animal that races
fictional animal
animals that exist only in fiction (usually in children's stories)
self
a person considered as a unique individual
adult,
grownup
a fully developed person from maturity onward
applicant,
applier
a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission
capitalist
a person who invests capital in a business (especially a large business)
contestant
a person who participates in competitions
coward
a person who shows fear or timidity
creator
a person who grows or makes or invents things
expert,
pundit
a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully
face
a part of a person that is used to refer to a person
native
a person born in a particular place or country
lover
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
loved one
a person who you love, usually a member of your family
leader
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
percher
a person situated on a perch
worker
a person who works at a specific occupation
African
a native or inhabitant of Africa
Amerindian
a dated term applied to an Indigenous person living in the Americas
Slav
any member of the people of eastern Europe or Asian Russia who speak a Slavonic language
gentile
a person who is not a member of one's own religion; used in this sense by Mormons and Hindus
Hebrew,
Israelite,
Jew
a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
Aries,
Ram
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Aries
Bull,
Taurus
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Taurus
Gemini,
Twin
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Gemini
Cancer,
Crab
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Cancer
Leo,
Lion
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo
Virgin,
Virgo
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Virgo
Balance,
Libra
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Libra
Scorpio,
Scorpion
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Scorpio
Capricorn,
Goat
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Capricorn
Fish,
Pisces
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Pisces
abator
a person who abates a nuisance
acquirer
a person who acquires something (usually permanently)
active
a person who is a participating member of an organization
adjudicator
a person who studies and settles conflicts and disputes
admirer
a person who admires; someone who esteems or respects or approves
adoptee
someone (such as a child) who has been adopted
advisee
someone who receives advice
affiant
a person who makes an affidavit
amateur
someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
ancient
a person who lived in ancient times
anti
a person who is opposed (to an action or policy or practice etc.)
anti-American
a person who is opposed to the United States and its policies
apprehender
a person who seizes or arrests (especially a person who seizes or arrests in the name of justice)
appreciator
a person who is fully aware of something and understands it
arrogator
a person who through conceit makes pretentious claims to rights or advantages that he or she is not entitled to or to qualities that he or she does not possess
assessee
a person (or property) that is assessed
authority
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
baby buster,
buster
a person born in the generation following the baby boom when the birth rate fell dramatically
bad guy
any person who is not on your side
bather
a person who takes a bath
beard
a person who diverts suspicion from someone (especially a woman who accompanies a male homosexual in order to conceal his homosexuality)
best,
topper
the person who is most outstanding or excellent; someone who tops all others
birth
a baby born; an offspring
blogger
a person who keeps and updates a blog
bluecoat
a person dressed all in blue (as a soldier or sailor)
bomber
a person who plants bombs
buster
a person (or thing) that breaks up or overpowers something
case
a person requiring professional services
cashier
a person responsible for receiving payments for goods and services (as in a shop or restaurant)
censor
someone who censures or condemns
beguiler,
charmer
a person who charms others (usually by personal attractiveness)
chutzpanik
(Yiddish) a person characterized by chutzpa
closer
a person who closes something
complexifier
someone or something that makes a situation complex
compulsive
a person with a compulsive disposition; someone who feels compelled to do certain things
computer user
a person who uses computers for work or entertainment or communication or business
convert
a person who has been converted to another religious or political belief
creditor
a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists
cripple
someone who is unable to walk normally because of an injury or disability to the legs or back
dancer,
social dancer
a person who participates in a social gathering arranged for dancing (as a ball)
debaser,
degrader
a person who lowers the quality or character or value (as by adding cheaper metal to coins)
debitor,
debtor
a person who owes a creditor; someone who has the obligation of paying a debt
delayer
a person who delays; to put off until later or cause to be late
deliverer
a person who gives up or transfers money or goods
divider
a person who separates something into parts or groups
dresser
a person who dresses in a particular way
effecter,
effector
one who brings about a result or event; one who accomplishes a purpose
Elizabethan
a person who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I
endomorph
a heavy person with a soft and rounded body
enjoyer
a person who delights in having or using or experiencing something
enrollee
a person who enrolls in (or is enrolled in) a class or course of study
ethnic
a person who is a member of an ethnic group
adventurer,
explorer
someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
extravert,
extrovert
(psychology) a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings
faddist
a person who subscribes to a variety of fads
fastener
a person who fastens or makes fast
fiduciary
a person who holds assets in trust for a beneficiary
follower
a person who accepts the leadership of another
friend
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
gainer
a person who gains (gains an advantage or gains profits)
gambler
a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
gatekeeper
someone who controls access to something
granter
a person who grants or gives something
handicapped person
a person who has some condition that markedly restricts their ability to function physically or mentally or socially
head
an individual person
homunculus
a tiny fully formed individual that (according to the discredited theory of preformation) is supposed to be present in the sperm cell
hope
someone (or something) on which expectations are centered
immune
a person who is immune to a particular infection
insured,
insured person
a person whose interests are protected by an insurance policy; a person who contracts for an insurance policy that indemnifies him against loss of property or life or health etc.
interpreter
someone who uses art to represent something
introvert
(psychology) a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts
Jat
a member of an Indo-European people widely scattered throughout the northwest of the Indian subcontinent and consisting of Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs
gem,
jewel
a person who is as brilliant and precious as a piece of jewelry
junior
the younger of two persons
killer,
slayer
someone who causes the death of a person or animal
kink
a person with unusual sexual tastes
kneeler
a person in a kneeling position
knocker
a person who knocks (as seeking to gain admittance)
Latin
a person who is a member of those peoples whose languages derived from Latin
laugher
a person who is laughing or who laughs easily
lightning rod
someone who is a frequent target of negative reactions and serves to distract attention from another
liver
a person who has a special life style
loose cannon
a person who is expected to perform a particular task but who is out of control and dangerous
mailer
a person who mails something
malcontent
a person who is discontented or disgusted
man
the generic use of the word to refer to any human being
mate
the partner of an animal (especially a sexual partner)
measurer
a person who makes measurements
mesomorph
a person with a well-developed muscular body
ladino,
mestizo
a person of mixed racial ancestry (especially mixed European and Native American ancestry)
middlebrow
someone who is neither a highbrow nor a lowbrow
misogamist
a person who hates, avoids, or opposes marriage
mixed-blood
a person whose ancestors belonged to two or more races
modern,
neoteric
a contemporary person, especially one who promotes new ideas
mother hen
a person who cares for the needs of others (especially in an overprotective or interfering way)
mouse
person who is quiet or timid
namer
a person who gives a name or names
namesake
a person with the same name as another
neglecter
a person who is neglectful and gives little attention or respect to people or responsibilities
neutral
one who does not side with any party in a war or dispute
nondescript
a person who is not easily classified and not very interesting
nonperson,
unperson
a person regarded as nonexistent and having no rights; a person whose existence is systematically ignored (especially for ideological or political reasons)
nonresident
someone who does not live in a particular place
nonsmoker
a person who does not smoke tobacco
nurser
a person who treats something carefully
occultist
a believer in occultism; someone versed in the occult arts
optimist
a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
orphan
someone or something who lacks support or care or supervision
ostrich
a person who refuses to face reality or recognize the truth (a reference to the popular notion that the ostrich hides from danger by burying its head in the sand)
outdoorsman
a person who spends time outdoors (e.g., hunting or fishing)
pansexual
a person attracted to people regardless of gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation
partner
a person who is a member of a partnership
party
a person involved in legal proceedings
passer
a person who passes as a member of a different ethnic or racial group
personage
another word for a human being and usually not meriting identification
philosopher
a wise person who is calm and rational; someone who lives a life of reason with equanimity
player
a person who pursues a number of different social and sexual partners simultaneously
posturer
someone who behaves in a manner calculated to impress or mislead others
powderer
someone who applies or scatters powder
preserver
someone who keeps safe from harm or danger
propositus
the person immediately affected by or concerned with an action
pursuer
a person who pursues some plan or goal
pussycat
a person who is regarded as easygoing and agreeable
quitter
a person who gives up too easily
radical
a person who has radical ideas or opinions
objectivist,
realist
a person who accepts the world as it literally is and deals with it accordingly
rectifier
a person who corrects or sets right
registrant
a person who is formally entered (along with others) in a register (and who obtains certain rights thereby)
revenant
a person who returns after a lengthy absence
riser
a person who rises (especially from bed)
romper
a person who romps or frolics
rusher
a person who rushes; someone in a hurry; someone who acts precipitously
scientist
a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
scratcher
a person who scratches to relieve an itch
segregate
someone who is or has been segregated
sex object
any person regarded simply as an object of sexual gratification
sex symbol
a person (especially a celebrity) who is well-known for their sexual attractiveness
showman
a person skilled at making effective presentations
slave
a person who is owned by someone
slave
someone entirely dominated by some influence or person
sloucher
a person who slouches; someone with a drooping carriage
smasher
a person who smashes something
snuffer
a person who snuffs out candles
snuffler
a person who breathes noisily (as through a nose blocked by mucus)
sort
a person of a particular character or nature
sounding board
a person whose reactions to something serve as an indication of its acceptability
sphinx
an inscrutable person who keeps thoughts or intentions a secret
sport
a person known for the way she (or he) behaves when teased or defeated or subjected to trying circumstances
spurner
a person who rejects (someone or something) with contempt
standee
someone who stands in a place where one might otherwise sit (as a spectator who uses standing room in a theater or a passenger on a crowded bus or train)
stigmatic,
stigmatist
a person whose body is marked by religious stigmata (such as marks resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ)
stooper
a person who carries himself or herself with the head and shoulders habitually bent forward
stranger
an individual that one is not acquainted with
struggler
a person who struggles with difficulties or with great effort
case,
guinea pig,
subject
a person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures; someone who is an object of investigation
supernumerary
a person in excess of the regular, required, or usual number
survivalist
someone who tries to insure their personal survival or the survival of their group or nation
suspect
someone who is under suspicion
tagger
someone who appends or joins one thing to another
tagger
someone who assigns labels to the grammatical constituents of textual matter
tapper
a person who strikes a surface lightly and usually repeatedly
termer
a person who serves a specified term
third-rater
one who is third-rate or distinctly inferior
thrower
someone who projects something (especially by a rapid motion of the arm)
tiger
a fierce or audacious person
totemist
a person who belongs to a clan or tribe having a totem
toucher
a person who causes or allows a part of the body to come in contact with someone or something
turner
one of two persons who swing ropes for jumpers to skip over in the game of jump rope
tyrant
any person who exercises power in a cruel way
user
a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
Victorian
a person who lived during the reign of Victoria
visionary
a person given to fanciful speculations and enthusiasms with little regard for what is actually possible
waiter
a person who waits or awaits
waker
a person who awakes
walk-in
person who walks in without having an appointment
ward
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
warrior
someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
watcher
a person who keeps a devotional vigil by a sick bed or by a dead body
weasel
a person who is regarded as treacherous or sneaky
witness
(law) a person who testifies under oath in a court of law
worldling
a person absorbed by the concerns and interests and pleasures of the present world
microflora
microscopic plants; bacteria are often considered to be microflora
crop
a cultivated plant that is grown commercially on a large scale
endemic
a plant that is native to a certain limited area
holophyte
an organism that produces its own food by photosynthesis
wilding
a wild uncultivated plant (especially a wild apple or crabapple tree)
ornamental
any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
pot plant
a plant suitable for growing in a flowerpot (especially indoors)
acrogen
any flowerless plant such as a fern (pteridophyte) or moss (bryophyte) in which growth occurs only at the tip of the main stem
apomict
a plant that reproduces or is reproduced by apomixis
aquatic
a plant that lives in or on water
cryptogam
formerly recognized taxonomic group including all flowerless and seedless plants that reproduce by means of spores: ferns, mosses, algae, fungi
annual
(botany) a plant that completes its entire life cycle within the space of a year
biennial
(botany) a plant having a life cycle that normally takes two seasons from germination to death to complete; flowering biennials usually bloom and fruit in the second season
perennial
(botany) a plant lasting for three seasons or more
escape
a plant originally cultivated but now growing wild
neophyte
a plant that is found in an area where it had not been recorded previously
embryo
(botany) a minute rudimentary plant contained within a seed or an archegonium
sporophyte
the spore-producing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations
gametophyte
the gamete-bearing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations
Claviceps purpurea,
ergot
a fungus that infects various cereal plants forming compact black masses of branching filaments that replace many grains of the plant; source of medicinally important alkaloids and of lysergic acid
sclerotinia
any fungus of the genus Sclerotinia; some causing brown rot diseases in plants
false truffle
any of various fungi of the family Rhizopogonaceae having subterranean fruiting bodies similar to the truffle
slime mold,
slime mould
a naked mass of protoplasm having characteristics of both plants and animals; sometimes classified as protoctists
pond-scum parasite
an aquatic fungus of genus Synchytriaceae that is parasitic on pond scum
Saprolegnia ferax,
white fungus
a fungus that attacks living fish and tadpoles and spawn causing white fungus disease: a coating of white hyphae on especially peripheral parts (as fins)
white rust
fungus causing a disease characterized by a white powdery mass of conidia
pythium
any fungus of the genus Pythium
coral fungus
any of numerous fungi of the family Clavariaceae often brightly colored that grow in often intricately branched clusters like coral
lichen
any thallophytic plant of the division Lichenes; occur as crusty patches or bushy growths on tree trunks or rocks or bare ground etc.
true fungus
any of numerous fungi of the division Eumycota
Lentinus lepideus,
scaly lentinus
a fungus with a scaly cap and white flesh and a ring on the stalk (with scales below the ring); odor reminiscent of licorice
sac fungus
any of various ascomycetous fungi in which the spores are formed in a sac or ascus
yeast
any of various single-celled fungi that reproduce asexually by budding or division
Wynnea americana
a fungus composed of several apothecia that look like elongated rabbit ears; the sterile surface is dark brown and warty; the fertile surface is smooth and pinkish orange
Wynnea sparassoides
a fungus with a long solid stalk embedded in soil and a yellow-brown head shaped like a cauliflower
lorchel
a large fungus of the family Helvellaceae
puffball,
true puffball
any of various fungi of the family Lycoperdaceae whose round fruiting body discharges a cloud of spores when mature
earthstar
any fungus of the family Geastraceae; in form suggesting a puffball whose outer peridium splits into the shape of a star
Radiigera fuscogleba
a fungus similar to an earthstar except that it does not open up; the spore mass is brown at maturity with a column of sterile tissue extending up into it
bird's-nest fungus
any of various fungi of the family Nidulariaceae having a cup-shaped body containing several egg-shaped structure enclosing the spores
Gastrocybe lateritia
a species of Gastrocybe fungus that has a conic cap and a thin stalk; at first the stalk is upright but as it matures the stalk bends over and then downward; the cap then gelatinizes and a slimy mass containing the spores falls to the ground as the stalk collapses
Macowanites americanus
a small fungus with a fragile cap that cracks to expose the white context and a white stalk that is practically enclosed by the cap
bolete
any fungus of the family Boletaceae
jelly fungus
any fungus of the order Tremellales or Auriculariales whose fruiting body is jellylike in consistency when fresh
mold,
mould
a fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
mildew
a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter
monilia
any of the yeastlike imperfect fungi of the genus Monilia
candida
any of the yeastlike imperfect fungi of the genus Candida
blastomycete
any of various yeastlike budding fungi of the genus Blastomyces; cause disease in humans and other animals
rhizoctinia
any fungus now or formerly belonging to the form genus Rhizoctinia
houseplant
any of a variety of plants grown indoors for decorative purposes
garden plant
any of a variety of plants usually grown especially in a flower or herb garden
poisonous plant
a plant that when touched or ingested in sufficient quantity can be harmful or fatal to an organism
parasitic plant
plant living on another plant and obtaining organic nutriment from it
rock plant
plant that grows on or among rocks or is suitable for a rock garden
myrmecophyte
plant that affords shelter or food to ants that live in symbiotic relations with it
decomposer
an organism that breaks down dead animal and plant matter, thereby returning nutrients to an ecosystem