facultative

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Pronunciation

/ˈfækəlˌteɪtɪv/

Part of Speech

adjective

Definition

pertaining to an organism which has the option to adopt a different life style or mode of nutrition. Facultative is normally followed by the mode not regularly adopted. For example, a facultative aerobe normally grows anaerobically but has the ability to grow aerobically. (as opposed to obligate)

Etymology

Neo-Latin, from facultātīvus

facultative
Accepted term: 29-Jan-2014