inquiline
[in-kwuh-lahyn, -lin]
- Zoology. an animal living in the nest, burrow, or body of another animal.
Show More
- of the nature of an inquiline.
Show More
Origin of inquiline
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for inquiline
Historical Examples of inquiline
Inquiline: living as guests in the homes of others; as in galls.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
The colonies of Bombus illustrate the rise of the inquiline habit.
Inquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.
Inquiline: a species living in a gall or other structure prepared by a different species, not as a parasite but as, a guest.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
inquiline
- an animal that lives in close association with another animal without harming itSee also commensal (def. 1)
Show More
- of or living as an inquiline
Show More
Word Origin for inquiline
C17: from Latin inquilīnus lodger, from in- ² + colere to dwell
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