COMMENSAL Meaning and
Definition
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Commensal is an adjective that refers to a particular type of relationship between two organisms, where one organism benefits while the other organism neither benefits nor is harmed. This term is commonly used in biology and ecology to describe an interaction between two different species.
In a commensal relationship, one organism, known as the commensal, obtains resources or support from the other organism, known as the host, without providing any significant benefits or causing any harm to the host. The commensal benefits by exploiting the host's resources such as shelter, food, or transportation, while the host remains unaffected by the presence of the commensal.
This type of symbiotic relationship is distinguished from mutualism, where both organisms involved benefit from the interaction, and parasitism, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other. Commensalism is often seen in nature, with examples including remoras hitching rides on sharks, orchids growing on trees without harming them, and barnacles attaching themselves to whales for transportation.
The term "commensal" is derived from the Latin word "commensalis," which means "sharing a table." This etymology conceptually reflects the idea that the commensal organism shares the resources or environment provided by the host organism without negatively impacting it.
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Noting organisms which live together, neither bearing a parasitic relation to the other, without harm or prejudice to either.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COMMENSAL
- xommensal
- vommensal
- fommensal
- dommensal
- cimmensal
- ckmmensal
- clmmensal
- cpmmensal
- c0mmensal
- c9mmensal
- conmensal
- cokmensal
- cojmensal
- comnensal
- comkensal
- comjensal
- commwnsal
- commsnsal
- commdnsal
Etymology of COMMENSAL
The word "commensal" originated from the Latin term "commensalis", which is a combination of two Latin words: "com" meaning "together" and "mensa" meaning "table". It was first used in English in the 17th century, derived from the Latin phrase "commensalis epulum", meaning "a person who shares a meal". Over time, its meaning expanded to refer to organisms, especially microorganisms, that live together and benefit from a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unaffected.
Similar spelling words for COMMENSAL
- commonage,
- commensalism,
- coming,
- common seal,
- common ax,
- commensurate,
- common axe,
- communistic,
- commonness,
- commence,
- common sage,
- common salt,
- communism,
- commensally,
- conenose,
- coaming,
- common scold,
- comenius,
- commons,
- communist,
- communise,
- commingle.
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