cleptobiosis

[ klep-toh-bahy-oh-sis ]

noun,plural clep·to·bi·o·ses [klep-toh-bahy-oh-seez]. /ˌklɛp toʊ baɪˈoʊ siz/.
  1. an ecological relationship in which members of one species, as of ants, steal food from another.

Origin of cleptobiosis

1
<Greek klépt(ein) to steal + -o- + -biosis

Other words from cleptobiosis

  • clep·to·bi·ot·ic [klep-toh-bahy-ot-ik], /ˌklɛp toʊ baɪˈɒt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby cleptobiosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023