Commensal - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Commensal describes a relationship between organisms where one benefits while the other is unaffected, such as barnacles on whales. It is often used in biology to describe neutral coexistence.
Definition:
Living together beneficially without harming each other, often in biology.
Synonyms:
symbiotic, coexisting, mutualistic
Part of Speech:
adjective, noun
Antonyms:
parasitic, antagonistic
Common Collocations:
commensal relationship, commensal bacteria, commensal organism
Derivatives:
commensalism, commensally
Usage Tips:
Use "commensal" to describe organisms benefiting without harming each other, like gut bacteria and humans.
Common Phrases:
commensal flora, commensal host, commensal interaction
Etymology:
From Latin "com-" (together) + "mensa" (table), meaning sharing a table or resources peacefully.
Examples:
- 1. The bacteria in our gut are commensal and aid digestion without harming us.
- 2. Some birds have a commensal relationship with cattle, eating insects off their backs.
- 3. Commensal organisms thrive in human skin without causing disease.
- 4. The shark and remora share a commensal bond; the remora gets food scraps.