inquiline
Zoology. an animal living in the nest, burrow, or body of another animal.
of the nature of an inquiline.
Origin of inquiline
1Other words from inquiline
- in·qui·lin·i·ty [in-kwuh-lin-i-tee], /ˌɪn kwəˈlɪn ɪ ti/, noun
- in·qui·li·nous [in-kwuh-lahy-nuhs], /ˌɪn kwəˈlaɪ nəs/, adjective
Words Nearby inquiline
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use inquiline in a sentence
The colonies of Bombus illustrate the rise of the inquiline habit.
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 Entomology | John. B. Smithinquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.
This cockroach is the most closely associated inquiline in the nest and maintains very intimate terms with the ants.
The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches | Louis M. Rothinquiline: living as guests in the homes of others; as in galls.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology | John. B. Smith
British Dictionary definitions for inquiline
/ (ˈɪnkwɪˌlaɪn) /
an animal that lives in close association with another animal without harming it: See also commensal (def. 1)
of or living as an inquiline
Origin of inquiline
1Derived forms of inquiline
- inquilinism (ˈɪnkwɪlɪˌnɪzəm) or inquilinity (ˌɪnkwɪˈlɪnɪtɪ), noun
- inquilinous (ˌɪnkwɪˈlaɪnəs), adjective
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
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