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inquiline
[ in-kwuh-lahyn, -lin ]
/ ˈɪn kwəˌlaɪn, -lɪn /
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noun
Zoology. an animal living in the nest, burrow, or body of another animal.
adjective
of the nature of an inquiline.
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Origin of inquiline
OTHER WORDS FROM inquiline
in·qui·lin·i·ty [in-kwuh-lin-i-tee], /ˌɪn kwəˈlɪn ɪ ti/, nounin·qui·li·nous [in-kwuh-lahy-nuhs], /ˌɪn kwəˈlaɪ nəs/, adjectiveWords nearby inquiline
inquest, in question, in quest of, inquiet, inquietude, inquiline, inquire, inquire after, inquirer, inquiries, inquiring
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use inquiline in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for inquiline
inquiline
/ (ˈɪnkwɪˌlaɪn) /
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 forms of inquiline
inquilinism (ˈɪnkwɪlɪˌnɪzəm) or inquilinity (ˌɪnkwɪˈlɪnɪtɪ), nouninquilinous (ˌɪnkwɪˈlaɪnəs), adjectiveWord Origin for inquiline
C17: from Latin inquilīnus lodger, from in- ² + colere to dwell
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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