[sim-bee-ont, -bahy-] 
| an organism living in a state of symbiosis. |
| sym·bi·ont (sĭm'bē-ŏnt', -bī-) n. An organism in a symbiotic relationship. Also called symbiote. [Greek sumbiōn, sumbiount-, present participle of sumbioun, to live together; see symbiosis.] sym'bi·on'tic adj. |
| sym·bi·ote (sĭm'bē-ōt', -bī-) n. See symbiont. [French, from Greek sumbiōtēs, companion, from sumbioun, to live together; see symbiosis.] |
| symbiont (sĭm'bē-ŏnt', -bī-) or symbiote (sĭm'bē-ŏnt', -bī-) Pronunciation Key
An organism in a symbiotic relationship. In cases in which a distinction is made between two interacting organisms, the symbiont is the smaller of the two and is always a beneficiary in the relationship, while the larger organism is the host and may or may not derive a benefit. See also host, parasite. |
biˌɒnt
n