English Explanatory Dictionary

commensal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of a form of symbiosis in which one organism derives a benefit while the other is unaffected.
  2. Eating at the same table.
noun
  1. An organism partaking in a commensal relationship.
  2. One who eats at the same table.

Pronunciation

/kəˈmɛnsəl/

Word forms

commensal commensals

Etymology

From Middle English commensal, from Old French commensal, from Medieval Latin commensālis, from com- + mensa (“table”) + -ālis.

Related words

commensalism commensality endocommensal endocommensalism ectocommensal

Derived words

anticommensal commensally noncommensal
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