Commensal
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /kəˈmɛnsəl/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Commensal is an adjective meaning (ecology) Of a form of symbiosis in which one organism derives a benefit while the other is unaffected.
Meaning
(ecology) Of a form of symbiosis in which one organism derives a benefit while the other is unaffected.
More Meanings
- Eating at the same table.
- (ecology) An organism partaking in a commensal relationship.
- One who eats at the same table.
Example Sentences
Colville ordered it, and was sorry when the last of his commensals, slightly bowing him a good-night, left him alone to it.
Around this tragic central figure are grouped the commensals of the Vauquer pension, Rastignac, the young law-student, with shallow purse and aristocratic connections; […].
The fish (AMPHIPRION PERCULA) "intel-intel" of the blacks, is said to be commensal (literally, dining at the same table with its host), as distinguished from the parasite, which lives on its host.
The tree did indeed grow right out of the algae, as I had seen from the lifeboat. There was not the least trace of soil. Either there was soil deeper down, or this species of tree was a remarkable instance of a commensal or a parasite.
Word Forms
- commensals
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include win-win, complemental, mutual, coessential, coenvironmental, corespective.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.