heteroecism

[ het-uh-ree-siz-uh m ]

/ ˌhɛt əˈri sɪz əm /

noun Biology.

the development of different stages of a parasitic species on different host plants.

Nearby words

heterodox, heterodoxy, heterodromous, heterodyne, heteroecious, heteroecism, heteroerotism, heteroflexible, heterogamete, heterogametic, heterogamous

Origin of heteroecism

1870–75; hetero- + Greek oik(ía) “house” + -ism

Related forms

het·er·oe·cious

[het-uh-ree-shuh s] /ˌhɛt əˈri ʃəs/, adjectivehet·er·oe·cious·ly, adverb

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

British Dictionary definitions for heteroecious

heteroecious

/ (ˌhɛtəˈriːʃəs) /

adjective

(of parasites, esp rust fungi) undergoing different stages of the life cycle on different host speciesCompare autoecious

Derived Forms

heteroecism, noun

Word Origin for heteroecious

from hetero- + -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

Medicine definitions for heteroecious

heteroecious

[ hĕt′ə-rē′shəs ]

adj.

Spending different stages of a life cycle on different, usually unrelated hosts. Used of parasites such as rust fungi and tapeworms.

Related forms

het′er•oe′cism (-sĭz′əm) n.

Science definitions for heteroecious

heteroecious

[ hĕt′ə-rē′shəs ]

Relating to a parasite that spends different stages of its life cycle on different, usually unrelated hosts. The term is used especially of certain kinds of rust fungi, but may also be applied to other parasites like tapeworms. Compare autoecious.