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.
Origin 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
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
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.
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.