symbiosis
pronunciation
How to pronounce symbiosis in British English:
UK [ˌsɪmbaɪˈəʊsɪs]
How to pronounce symbiosis in American English:
US [ˌsɪmbaɪˈoʊsɪs]
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- Noun:
- the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
Word Origin
- symbiosis (n.)
- 1876, as a biological term, "union for life of two different organisms based on mutually benefit," from Greek symbiosis "a living together," from symbioun "live together," from symbios "(one) living together (with another), partner, companion, husband or wife," from assimilated form of syn- "together" (see syn-) + bios "life" (see bio-). Given a wider (non-biological) sense by 1921. An earlier sense of "communal or social life" is found in 1620s. A back-formed verb symbiose is recorded from 1960.
Example
- 1. Symbiosis works at many different levels of biological organisation .
- 2. There is a symbiosis between large and small .
- 3. They exist in symbiosis with the old housing .
- 4. Endogenisation allows retroviruses to take genetic symbiosis to a new level .
- 5. This sell-off sent ripples through the financial system because of the strange symbiosis between governments and banks .