An organism, typically bacteria, fungi, or certain insects, that breaks down dead organic matter and waste products into simpler substances. These organisms recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, making them available for other living things.
From Latin 'de-' meaning down or apart and 'componere' meaning to put together, with the agent suffix '-er.' The ecological term developed in the early 1900s as scientists began understanding the crucial role these organisms play in nutrient cycling.
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