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Mutualism - 7 dictionary results

mu⋅tu⋅al⋅ism

   [myoo-choo-uh-liz-uhm]
–noun
1. a relationship between two species of organisms in which both benefit from the association.
2. the doctrine that the interdependence of social elements is the primary determinant of individual and social relations, esp. the theory that common ownership of property, or collective effort and control governed by sentiments of brotherhood and mutual aid, will be beneficial to both the individual and society.
3. Sociology. the force or principle of mutual aid.
Origin:
1860–65; mutual + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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mu·tu·al·ism     (myōō'chōō-ə-lĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
n.   An association between organisms of two different species in which each member benefits.
mu'tu·al·is'tic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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mutualism

noun
the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other [syn: symbiosis] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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mutualism   (my'ch-ə-lĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
A symbiotic relationship in which each of the organisms benefits. In obligate mutualism the interacting species are interdependent and cannot survive without each other. The fungi and algae that combine to form lichen are obligate mutualists. In the more common facultative mutualism the interacting species derive benefit without being fully dependent. Many plants produce fruits that are eaten by birds, and the birds later excrete the seeds of these fruits far from the parent plant. While both species benefit, the birds have other food available to them, and the plants can disperse their seeds when the uneaten fruit drops. Compare amensalism, commensalism, parasitism.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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mutualism mu·tu·al·ism (my&oomacr;'ch&oomacr;-ə-lĭz'əm)
n.
A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.

mu'tu·al·is'tic adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Main Entry: mu·tu·al·ism
Pronunciation: 'myüch-(&-)w&-"liz-&m, 'myü-ch&-"liz-
Function: noun
: mutuallybeneficial association between different kinds of organisms —mu·tu·al·ist /-l&st/ noun —mu·tu·al·is·tic /"myüch-(&-)w&-'lis-tik, "myü-ch&-'lis-/ adjective

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Mutualism

Mu"tu*al*ism\, n. (Ethics) The doctrine of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare. --F. Harrison. --H. Spencer. --Mallock.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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