abiotic

[ey-bahy-ot-ik, ab-ee-] /ˌeɪ baɪˈɒt ɪk, ˌæb i-/
adjective
1.
of or characterized by the absence of life or living organisms.
Also, abiotical.
Origin
a-6 + biotic
Related forms
abiotically, adverb
Examples from the web for abiotic
  • There is no other appropriate abiotic vehicle.
  • This is called abiotic pollination.
  • These hydrocarbons are believed to be created by abiotic processes.
  • Your comments on abiotic oil are irrelevant.
  • For example, we know quite precisly the abiotic paleoenvironmental conditions.
  • And there has apparently been no help whatsoever from "abiotic" sources (yes, they are called fossil fuels for a reason).
  • The former are biotic and the latter are abiotic variables which shape the diversity and topology of the tree of life.
  • These are all a set of models which emphasize the abiotic selective pressures on life forms, as opposed to the biotic ones.
  • The goal is to restore, over large portions of the continent, the abiotic and biotic processes that sustain biodiversity.
  • In this way, the biotic parts of the ecosystem depend on abiotic factors.
Word Origin and History for abiotic
adj.

"without life," 1870, from a- (3) + biotic.

abiotic in Science
abiotic
  (ā'bī-ŏt'ĭk)   
Not associated with or derived from living organisms. Abiotic factors in an environment include such items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation. Compare biotic.

abiosis noun (ā'bī-ō'sĭs)