-biosis


  1. a combining form meaning “mode of life,” used in the formation of compound words: aerobiosis; parabiosis.

Origin of -biosis

1
<Greek bíōsis, equivalent to biō-, verbid stem of bioûn to live + -sis-sis; cf. anabiosis, symbiosis, on which subsequent coinages were probably modeled

Words Nearby -biosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for -biosis

-biosis

n combining form
  1. indicating a specified mode of life: symbiosis

Origin of -biosis

1
New Latin, from Greek biōsis; see bio-, -osis

Derived forms of -biosis

  • -biotic, adj combining form

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012