autoecism

or au·te·cism

[ aw-tee-siz-uh m ]

/ ɔˈti sɪz əm /

noun Mycology.

the development of the entire life cycle of a parasitic fungus on a single host or group of hosts.

Nearby words

autodidacticism, autodigestion, autodyne, autoecholalia, autoecious, autoecism, autoerotic, autoerotic asphyxia, autoeroticism, autoerotism, autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome

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/, adjectiveau·toe·cious·ly, adverbau·toe·cious·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for autoecious

autoecious

sometimes US autecious

/ (ɔːˈtiːʃəs) /

adjective

(of parasites, esp the rust fungi) completing the entire life cycle on a single species of hostCompare heteroecious

(of plants, esp mosses) having male and female reproductive organs on the same plant

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

Science definitions for autoecious

autoecious

[ ô-tē′shəs ]

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.