Commensalistic

/kəˌmɛnsəˈlɪstɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of commensalism; describing a relationship where one organism benefits and another is neither helped nor harmed.

Etymology

From commensalist plus the adjectival suffix -ic, which creates adjectives from nouns. This adds a scientific or systematic quality to the meaning.

Kelly Says

Scientists use this term to describe nature's many 'take it or leave it' relationships—oxpeckers eating parasites off animals seem mutualistic but are actually just commensalistic since the bird is the real winner.

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