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symbiont
[ sim-bee-ont, -bahy- ]
noun
, Biology.
- an organism living in a state of symbiosis.
symbiont
/ ˈsɪmbɪˌɒnt /
noun
- an organism living in a state of symbiosis
symbiont
/ sĭm′bē-ŏnt′,-bī- /
- 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
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Derived Forms
- ˌsymbiˈontic, adjective
- ˌsymbiˈontically, adverb
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Other Words From
- sym·bi·on·tic [sim-bee-, on, -tik, -bahy-], adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of symbiont1
C19: from Greek sumbioun to live together, from bioun to live
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Example Sentences
Aphids’ ability to tolerate warm temperatures, she has shown, depends on what strain of bacterial symbiont they harbor.
From Nautilus
The symbiont that’s helping Caribbean corals is, according to his analysis, an invasive species.
From Nautilus
The change may represent an adjustment not of bacteria, but of algal symbionts better suited to higher temperatures.
From Nautilus
The smaller partner has commonly been called a symbiont or symbiote by authors.
From Project Gutenberg
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