Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 chamaephyte /(kăm"ē̇*fīt)/ · cham·ae·phyte · IPA /ˈkæmiːfaɪt/ 01 n. a perennial plant that sets its dormant vegetative buds just at or above the surface of the ground. 1. a perennial plant that sets its dormant vegetative buds just at or above the surface of the ground.