Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

autoecism

or au·te·cism

[aw-tee-siz-uh m]
noun Mycology.
  1. the development of the entire life cycle of a parasitic fungus on a single host or group of hosts.
Show More

Origin of autoecism

aut- + oec- (< Greek oik-, stem of oîkos house) + -ism
Also called ametoecism.
Related formsau·toe·cious [aw-tee-shuh s] /ɔˈti ʃəs/, adjectiveau·toe·cious·ly, adverbau·toe·cious·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for autoecious

autoecious

sometimes US autecious

adjective
  1. (of parasites, esp the rust fungi) completing the entire life cycle on a single species of hostCompare heteroecious
  2. (of plants, esp mosses) having male and female reproductive organs on the same plant
Show More
Derived Formsautoecism or sometimes US autecism, noun

Word Origin for autoecious

C19: from auto- + -oecious, from Greek oikia house
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
autoecious in Science

autoecious

[ô-tē′shəs]
  1. Relating to a parasite that spends all its life on a single host. The term is used especially of certain types of rust fungi, but can also be applied to other parasites, such as aphids. Compare heteroecious.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.