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symbiosis

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English

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Etymology

From Ancient Greek συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis, “living together”). By surface analysis, sym- +‎ -biosis.

Pronunciation

Noun

symbiosis (countable and uncountable, plural symbioses)

  1. A relationship of mutual benefit, especially among different species.
  2. (ecology) The close and long-term relationship or interaction between two or more different species in which at least one of the organisms benefit.
    Hyponyms: mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, ectosymbiosis, endosymbiosis
    1. (especially) The close and long-tern relationship or interaction between two or more different species in which all organisms benefit; mutualism.
      Bees and flowers display symbiosis. The bees get nectar and the flowers get pollinated
  3. The state of people of different types, races, cultures, communities, etc., living together.
  4. The occurrence of two different or opposing things in the same time and place.
    • 1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 135:
      In this peculiar and deadly symbiosis the presence of warfare stimulates trade and the presence of trade stimulates warfare.

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