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commensal
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English
Etymology
From Middle English commensal, from Old French commensal, from Medieval Latin commensālis, from com- + mensa (“table”) + -ālis.
Pronunciation
Adjective
commensal (not comparable)
- (ecology) Of a form of symbiosis in which one organism derives a benefit while the other is unaffected.
- Eating at the same table.
Derived terms
Translations
Noun
commensal (plural commensals)
- (ecology) An organism partaking in a commensal relationship.
- 2001, Yann Martel, Life of Pi, Canongate, published 2003, →ISBN, page 260:
- The tree did indeed grow right out of the algae, as I had seen from the lifeboat. There was not the least trace of soil. Either there was soil deeper down, or this species of tree was a remarkable instance of a commensal or a parasite.
- One who eats at the same table.
Translations
organism partaking in a commensal relationship
One who eats at the same table
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Related terms
- commensalism
- commensality
- endocommensal
- endocommensalism
- ectocommensal
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French
Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin commēnsālis.
Pronunciation
Adjective
commensal (feminine commensale, masculine plural commensaux, feminine plural commensales)
Noun
commensal m (plural commensaux)
Related terms
Further reading
- “commensal”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
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