trophallaxis

[ trof-uh-lak-sis, troh-fuh- ]

/ ˌtrɒf əˈlæk sɪs, ˌtroʊ fə- /

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.

Nearby words

tropaion, trope, tropeolin, troph-, trophaeum, trophallaxis, trophectoderm, trophedema, trophesy, trophi, trophic

Origin of trophallaxis

1915–20; troph- + Greek állaxis exchange, equivalent to allak- (verbid stem of allássein to change; see allo-) + -sis -sis

Related forms

troph·al·lac·tic

[trof-uh-lak-tik, troh-fuh-] /ˌtrɒf əˈlæk tɪk, ˌtroʊ fə-/, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for trophallaxis

trophallaxis

/ (ˌtrɒfəˈlæksɪs) /

noun

the exchange of regurgitated food that occurs between adults and larvae in colonies of social insects

Derived Forms

trophallactic, adjective

Word Origin for trophallaxis

C19/20: from New Latin, from tropho- + Greek allaxis exchange, from allassein to change, from allos other

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