trophallaxis
[ trof-uh-lak-sis, troh-fuh- ]
noun,plural troph·al·lax·es [trof-uh-lak-seez, troh-fuh-]. /ˌtrɒf əˈlæk siz, ˌtroʊ fə-/.
(among social insects) the exchange of nutriments or other secretions between members of a colony.
Origin of trophallaxis
1Other words from trophallaxis
- troph·al·lac·tic [trof-uh-lak-tik, troh-fuh-], /ˌtrɒf əˈlæk tɪk, ˌtroʊ fə-/, adjective
Words Nearby trophallaxis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for trophallaxis
trophallaxis
/ (ˌtrɒfəˈlæksɪs) /
noun
the exchange of regurgitated food that occurs between adults and larvae in colonies of social insects
Origin of trophallaxis
1C19/20: from New Latin, from tropho- + Greek allaxis exchange, from allassein to change, from allos other
Derived forms of trophallaxis
- trophallactic, 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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