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commensal

 
Dictionary: com·men·sal   (kə-mĕn'səl) pronunciation
adj.
Of, relating to, or characterized by a symbiotic relationship in which one species is benefited while the other is unaffected.

n.
An organism participating in a symbiotic relationship in which one species derives some benefit while the other is unaffected.

[Middle English, sharing a meal, from Medieval Latin commēnsālis : Latin com-, com- + Latin mēnsa, table.]

commensally com·men'sal·ly adv.

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Medical Dictionary: com·men·sal
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(kə-mĕn'səl)
adj.

Of, relating to, or characterized by a symbiotic relationship in which one species is benefited while the other is unaffected.

n.

An organism participating in a symbiotic relationship in which one species derives some benefit while the other is unaffected.

Veterinary Dictionary: commensal
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1. living on or within another organism, and deriving benefit without harming or benefiting the host individual.
2. a parasitic organism that causes no harm to the host.

WordNet: commensal
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: either of two different animal or plant species living in close association but not interdependent


The adjective commensal has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (biology) living in a state of commensalism
  Pertains to noun: commensalism (meaning #1)


 
 

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more