commensal
[ kuh-men-suhl ]
/ kəˈmɛn səl /
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adjective
eating together at the same table.
Ecology. (of an animal, plant, fungus, etc.) living with, on, or in another, without injury to either.
Sociology. (of a person or group) not competing while residing in or occupying the same area as another individual or group having independent or different values or customs.
noun
a companion at table.
Ecology. a commensal organism.
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Origin of commensal
OTHER WORDS FROM commensal
com·men·sal·ism, nouncom·men·sal·i·ty [kom-en-sal-i-tee], /ˌkɒm ɛnˈsæl ɪ ti/, nouncom·men·sal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use commensal in a sentence
Wiping out commensal microbes opened the door to opportunists.
When Evolution Is Infectious - Issue 90: Something Green|Moises Velasquez-Manoff|September 30, 2020|NautilusThe rule is a very ancient Semitic one, due to the old connection between sacrifice and commensality.
Folkways|William Graham SumnerAmong the Greeks the right of commensality, or eating together, was restricted.
In some parts of Travancore, the latter do not even enjoy the privilege of commensality with the other Izhavas.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India|Edgar Thurston
British Dictionary definitions for commensal
commensal
/ (kəˈmɛnsəl) /
adjective
(of two different species of plant or animal) living in close association, such that one species benefits without harming the other
rare of or relating to eating together, esp at the same tablecommensal pleasures
noun
a commensal plant or animal
rare a companion at table
Derived forms of commensal
commensalism, nouncommensality (ˌkɒmɛnˈsælɪtɪ), nouncommensally, adverbWord Origin for commensal
C14: from Medieval Latin commensālis, from Latin com- together + mensa table
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for commensal
commensal
[ kə-mĕn′səl ]
adj.
Of, relating to, or characterized by a symbiotic relationship in which one species is benefited while the other is unaffected.
n.
An organism participating in a symbiotic relationship in which one species derives some benefit while the other is unaffected.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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