autoecism or au·te·cism [aw-tee -siz-uh m]
Word Origin
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 forms au·toe·cious [aw-tee -shuh s] /ɔˈti ʃəs/ adjective au·toe·cious·ly , adverb au·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
(of parasites, esp the rust fungi) completing the entire life cycle on a single species of host Compare heteroecious (of plants, esp mosses) having male and female reproductive organs on the same plant Show More
Derived Forms autoecism 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
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.
