symbiosis
Biology.
the living together of two dissimilar organisms, as in mutualism, commensalism, amensalism, or parasitism.
(formerly) mutualism (def. 1).
Psychiatry. a relationship between two people in which each person is dependent upon and receives reinforcement, whether beneficial or detrimental, from the other.
Psychoanalysis. the relationship between an infant and their mother in which the infant is dependent on the mother both physically and emotionally.
any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationship between two persons, groups, etc.
Origin of symbiosis
1Other words from symbiosis
- sym·bi·ot·ic [sim-bee-ot-ik, -bahy-], /ˌsɪm biˈɒt ɪk, -baɪ-/, sym·bi·ot·i·cal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for symbiosis
/ (ˌsɪmbɪˈəʊsɪs, ˌsɪmbaɪˈəʊsɪs) /
a close and usually obligatory association of two organisms of different species that live together, often to their mutual benefit
a similar relationship between interdependent persons or groups
Origin of symbiosis
1Derived forms of symbiosis
- symbiotic or rare symbiotical, adjective
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
Scientific definitions for symbiosis
[ sĭm′bē-ō′sĭs ]
The close association between two or more organisms of different species, often but not necessarily benefiting each member. The association of algae and fungi in lichens and of bacteria living in the intestines or on the skin of animals are forms of symbiosis. Some scientists believe that many multicellular organisms evolved from symbiotic relationships between unicellular ones and that the DNA-containing organelles within certain eukaryotic cells (such as mitochondria and chloroplasts) are the product of symbiotic relationships in which the participants became interdependent. There are four forms of symbiosis: amensalism, commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism.
Other words from symbiosis
- symbiotic adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for symbiosis
[ (sim-bee-oh-sis, sim-beye-oh-sis) ]
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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