commensal

From Middle English commensal, from Old French commensal, from Medieval Latin commensālis, from com- + mensa (“table”) + -ālis.

• IPA^(key): /kəˈmɛnsəl/

commensal (not comparable)

1. (ecology) Of a form of symbiosis in which one organism derives a benefit while the other is unaffected.
2. Eating at the same table.

commensal (plural commensals)

1. (ecology) An organism partaking in a commensal relationship.
   • 2001, Yann Martel, Life of Pi, Canongate, published 2003, →ISBN, page 260:

     The tree did indeed grow right out of the algae, as I had seen from the lifeboat. There was not the least trace of soil. Either there was soil deeper down, or this species of tree was a remarkable instance of a commensal or a parasite.

2. One who eats at the same table.

• commensalism
• commensality
• endocommensal
• endocommensalism
• ectocommensal

Borrowed from Medieval Latin commēnsālis.

• IPA^(key): /kɔ.mɑ̃.sal/

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commensal (feminine commensale, masculine plural commensaux, feminine plural commensales)

1. commensal

commensal m (plural commensaux)

1. commensal

• commensalisme

• “commensal”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.