symbiosis

sym·bi·o·sis

noun \ˌsim-bē-ˈō-səs, -ˌbī-\

plural sym·bi·o·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of SYMBIOSIS

1

: the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism or commensalism); especially : mutualism

2

: 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

Examples of SYMBIOSIS

1. The bird lives in symbiosis with the hippopotamus.
2. Their professional association was one of symbiosis.

Origin of SYMBIOSIS

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

First Known Use: 1622

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, taiga, tundra

Rhymes with SYMBIOSIS

brucellosis, cyanosis, dermatosis, diagnosis, halitosis, heterosis, keratosis, psittacosis, scoliosis, silicosis