symbiosis
[ sim-bee-oh-sis, -bahy- ]
/ ˌsɪm biˈoʊ sɪs, -baɪ- /
noun, plural sym·bi·o·ses [sim-bee-oh-seez, -bahy-] /ˌsɪm biˈoʊ siz, -baɪ-/.
Biology.
- the living together of two dissimilar organisms, as in mutualism, commensalism, amensalism, or parasitism.
- (formerly) mutualism(def 1).
Psychiatry. a relationship between two people in which each person is dependent upon and receives reinforcement, whether beneficial or detrimental, from the other.
Psychoanalysis. the relationship between an infant and its mother in which the infant is dependent on the mother both physically and emotionally.
any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationship between two persons, groups, etc.
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What does "scattergood" mean?
a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.
a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTOrigin of symbiosis
OTHER WORDS FROM symbiosis
sym·bi·ot·ic [sim-bee-ot-ik, -bahy-] /ˌsɪm biˈɒt ɪk, -baɪ-/, sym·bi·ot·i·cal, adjectiveWords nearby symbiosis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for symbiosis
British Dictionary definitions for symbiosis
symbiosis
/ (ˌsɪmbɪˈəʊsɪs, ˌsɪmbaɪˈəʊsɪs) /
noun
a close and usually obligatory association of two organisms of different species that live together, often to their mutual benefit
a similar relationship between interdependent persons or groups
Derived forms of symbiosis
symbiotic or rare symbiotical, adjectiveWord Origin for symbiosis
C19: via New Latin from Greek: a living together; see symbiont
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
Medical definitions for symbiosis
symbiosis
[ sĭm′bē-ō′sĭs, -bī- ]
n. pl. sym•bi•o•ses (-sēz)
A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member.
A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for symbiosis
symbiosis
[ sĭm′bē-ō′sĭs ]
The close association between two or more organisms of different species, often but not necessarily benefiting each member. The association of algae and fungi in lichens and of bacteria living in the intestines or on the skin of animals are forms of symbiosis. Some scientists believe that many multicellular organisms evolved from symbiotic relationships between unicellular ones and that the DNA-containing organelles within certain eukaryotic cells (such as mitochondria and chloroplasts) are the product of symbiotic relationships in which the participants became interdependent. There are four forms of symbiosis: amensalism, commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism.
Other words from symbiosis
symbiotic adjectiveThe American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for symbiosis
symbiosis
[ (sim-bee-oh-sis, sim-beye-oh-sis) ]
The process by which two organisms live together, usually to their mutual benefit. An example of a symbiotic pair are cows and the bacteria that live in their digestive tracts, enabling them to digest cellulose in grass.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.