biosphere
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Remove ads
See also: biosphère
Etymology
From bio- + -sphere, from German Biosphäre, coined by Austrian geologist Eduard Suess in 1875.
Pronunciation
Noun
biosphere (plural biospheres)
- The part of the Earth and its atmosphere capable of supporting life.
- The totality of living organisms and their environment.
- 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Patavig:
- Patavig is the second of the Macedon system's giant terrestrial planets, and by far the more interesting. Most of the surface is covered by a vast sea of liquid ammonia, in which a unique aquatic ammonia-based biosphere has developed. While the frozen continents are largely bereft of life, a rich bounty of complex organisms — many larger than a human — flourish in the chilly, toxic seas.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
part of Earth capable of supporting life
|
totality of living organisms
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Remove ads
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
Remove ads