inquiline

[in-kwuh-lahyn, -lin]

noun

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

adjective

of the nature of an inquiline.

Origin of inquiline

1635–45; < Latin inquilīnus tenant, equivalent to in- in-² + -quil-, combining form (noninitially before a front vowel) of colere to live in (see -colous) + -īnus -ine¹

Related formsin·qui·lin·i·ty

[in-kwuh-lin-i-tee] /ˌɪn kwəˈlɪn ɪ ti/, nounin·qui·li·nous

[in-kwuh-lahy-nuh s] /ˌɪn kwəˈlaɪ nəs/, adjective

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

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 Entomology
John. B. Smith
The colonies of Bombus illustrate the rise of the inquiline habit.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 5
Various
Inquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)
Various
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. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for inquiline

inquiline

noun

an animal that lives in close association with another animal without harming itSee also commensal (def. 1)

adjective

of or living as an inquiline

Derived Formsinquilinism (ˈɪnkwɪlɪˌnɪzəm) or inquilinity (ˌɪnkwɪˈlɪnɪtɪ), nouninquilinous (ˌɪnkwɪˈlaɪnəs), adjective

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