amensalism

[ ey-men-suh-liz-uhm ]

nounEcology.
  1. a relationship between two species of organisms in which the individuals of one species adversely affect those of the other and are unaffected themselves.

Origin of amensalism

1
Probably a-6 + (com)mensal + -ism

Words Nearby amensalism

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

Scientific definitions for amensalism

amensalism

[ ā-mĕnsə-lĭz′əm ]


  1. A relationship between two organisms in which one organism is harmed or inhibited and the other is unaffected. Examples of amensalism include the shading out of one plant by a taller and wider one and the inhibition of one plant by the secretions of another (known as allelopathy). Compare commensalism mutualism parasitism.

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