Definition

Science-speak for 'not alive' or 'never was alive'—the opposite of biotic. Ecologists use this to describe non-living components of ecosystems like rocks, water, and sunlight. It's also used to describe things that are actively hostile to life, because apparently one definition wasn't enough and scientists love making everything more complicated.

Example Usage

The environmental study examined both biotic and abiotic factors affecting the coral reef, which is a fancy way of saying 'living things and non-living things that mess with the coral.'

Source: Ecological and scientific terminology via Free Dictionary API

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