commensal
eating together at the same table.
Ecology. (of an animal, plant, fungus, etc.) living with, on, or in another, without injury to either.
Sociology. (of a person or group) not competing while residing in or occupying the same area as another individual or group having independent or different values or customs.
a companion at table.
Ecology. a commensal organism.
Origin of commensal
1Other words from commensal
- com·men·sal·ism, noun
- com·men·sal·i·ty [kom-en-sal-i-tee], /ˌkɒm ɛnˈsæl ɪ ti/, noun
- com·men·sal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use commensal in a sentence
Wiping out commensal microbes opened the door to opportunists.
When Evolution Is Infectious - Issue 90: Something Green | Moises Velasquez-Manoff | September 30, 2020 | NautilusThe rule is a very ancient Semitic one, due to the old connection between sacrifice and commensality.
Folkways | William Graham SumnerAmong the Greeks the right of commensality, or eating together, was restricted.
In some parts of Travancore, the latter do not even enjoy the privilege of commensality with the other Izhavas.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India | Edgar Thurston
British Dictionary definitions for commensal
/ (kəˈmɛnsəl) /
(of two different species of plant or animal) living in close association, such that one species benefits without harming the other
rare of or relating to eating together, esp at the same table: commensal pleasures
a commensal plant or animal
rare a companion at table
Origin of commensal
1Derived forms of commensal
- commensalism, noun
- commensality (ˌkɒmɛnˈsælɪtɪ), noun
- commensally, adverb
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
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