phre·at·o·phyte \frēˈad.əˌfīt\noun (-s) Etymology: Greek phreat-, phrear well + English -o- + -phyte : a deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it • phre·at·o·phyt·ic\(ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|fid.ik\adjective