ligni-
(ˈlɪgnɪ)
comb. form of L. lignum wood, as in ˈlignicole, ligˈnicoline adjs. [L. colĕre to inhabit], growing on wood, as some mosses, lichens, and fungi (Cent. Dict.). lignicolous (-ˈɪkələs) a. [f. as prec. + -ous], living in wood; ‘applied to certain bivalve shells which establish themselves in wood’ (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1855). ligniferous (-ˈɪfərəs) a. [see -ferous], bearing or producing wood (ibid.). ligniform a. [see -form], of the form or appearance of wood. ligniperdous (-ˈpɜːdəs) a. [L. perdĕre to destroy], wood-destroying. lignivorous (-ˈɪvərəs) a. [L. -vorus devouring], wood-devouring.
| 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 60 *Ligniform Carbonated Wood. |
| 1832 Lyell Princ. Geol. II. vii. 122 Beetles, and many other kinds of *ligniperdous insects have been introduced into Great Britain in timber. |
| 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xlix. (1828) IV. 492 In the saprophaga, the *lignivorous tribes form more than a half. 1863 Bates Nat. Amazon v. (1864) 128 The felled timber attracts lignivorous insects. |