inquiline

(inkwə līn′, -lin)

noun

an animal, usually an insect, that lives in the nest or abode of another, with or without harm to the host

Origin: L inquilinus, inhabitant < in-, in + stem of colere, to till, dwell: see cult

Related Forms:

See inquiline in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
An animal that characteristically lives commensally in the nest, burrow, or dwelling place of an animal of another species.
adjective
Being or living as an inquiline.

Origin:

Origin: Latin inquilīnus, lodger, tenant

Origin: : in-, in; see in-2

Origin: + colere, to inhabit; see kwel-1 in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • inˈqui·lin·ism (-lə-nĭzˌəm), inˌqui·linˈi·ty (-lĭnˈĭ-tē) noun
  • inˌqui·linˈous (-līˈnəs) adjective

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