mutualism

[myoo-choo-uh-liz-uh m]

noun

a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association.

the doctrine that the interdependence of social elements is the primary determinant of individual and social relations, especially the theory that common ownership of property, or collective effort and control governed by sentiments of brotherhood and mutual aid, will be beneficial to both the individual and society.

Sociology. the force or principle of mutual aid.

Origin of mutualism

First recorded in 1860–65; mutual + -ism

Related formsmu·tu·al·ist, nounmu·tu·al·is·tic, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for mutualistic

mutualism

noun

another name for symbiosis

Derived Formsmutualist, noun, adjectivemutualistic, 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

Word Origin and History for mutualistic

adj.

1885, from mutualist "advocate of mutualism" (1848); see mutualism.

mutualism

1849, in reference to the doctrine of French anarchist/socialist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865), from French mutuellisme. In biology, from 1876, from mutual + -ism.

mutualistic in Medicine

mutualism

[myōō′chōō-ə-lĭz′əm]

n.

A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.

Related formsmu′tu•al•is′tic adj.

mutualistic in Science

mutualism

[myōō′chōō-ə-lĭz′əm]

A relationship between two organisms in which each of the organisms benefits.♦ In obligate mutualism the interacting species are interdependent and cannot survive without each other. The fungi and algae that combine to form lichen are obligate mutualists.♦ In the more common facultative mutualism the interacting species derive benefit without being fully dependent. Many plants produce fruits that are eaten by birds, and the birds later excrete the seeds of these fruits far from the parent plant. While both species benefit, the birds have other food available to them, and the plants can disperse their seeds when the uneaten fruit drops. Compare amensalism commensalism parasitism.