inquiline

[in-kwuh-lahyn, -lin]

noun

1. Zoology.,  an animal living in the nest, burrow, or body of another animal.

adjective

1. of the nature of an inquiline.

inquiline

/ ˌɪnkwɪˈlɪnɪtɪ, ˌɪnkwɪˈlaɪnəs, ˈɪnkwɪlɪˌnɪzəm, ˈɪnkwɪˌlaɪn /

noun

1. an animal that lives in close association with another animal without harming it See also commensal

adjective

1. of or living as an inquiline

Other Word Forms

• inquilinity noun
• inquilinous adjective
• inquilinism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiline¹

1635–45; < Latin inquilīnus tenant, equivalent to in- in- ² + -quil-, combining form (noninitially before a front vowel) of colere to live in ( -colous ) + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiline¹

C17: from Latin inquilīnus lodger, from _in- ² + colere to dwell

Example Sentences

These later stages, comprising the greater part of the larval history, are adapted for an inquiline or a parasitic life, where shelter is assured and food abundant, while the short-lived, active condition enables the newly-hatched insect to make its way to the spot favourable for its future development, clinging, for example, in the case of an oil-beetle’s larva, to the hairs of a bee as she flies towards her nest.

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Inquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.—n. an animal so living.—adj.

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"Inquiline" sounds a pompous word for lodgers, but it has not yet been sentimentalized like "pilgrim"; it is not an Americanism like "transients," and it does give to me the sense of a fleeting stay; whereas lodgers sound dreadfully permanent since they have been given votes.

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Inquiline: living as guests in the homes of others; as in galls.

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Inquiline: a species living in a gall or other structure prepared by a different species, not as a parasite but as, a guest.

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