Main Entry:

sym·bi·o·sis

Pronunciation:

\ˌsim-bē-ˈō-səs, -ˌbī-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural sym·bi·o·ses \-ˌsēz\

Etymology:

New Latin, from German Symbiose, from Greek symbiōsis state of living together, from symbioun to live together, from symbios living together, from syn- + bios life — more at quick

Date:

1622

1: the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism or commensalism) ; especially : mutualism2: a cooperative relationship (as between two persons or groups) <the symbiosis…between the resident population and the immigrants — John Geipel>

— sym·bi·ot·ic \-ˈä-tik\ adjective

— sym·bi·ot·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb