trophallaxis

[ trof-uh-lak-sis, troh-fuh- ]

noun

, plural troph·al·lax·es [trof-, uh, -, lak, -seez, troh-f, uh, -].

1. (among social insects) the exchange of nutriments or other secretions between members of a colony.

trophallaxis

/ ˌtrɒfəˈlæksɪs /

noun

1. the exchange of regurgitated food that occurs between adults and larvae in colonies of social insects

Derived Forms

• ˌtrophalˈlactic, adjective

Other Words From

• troph·al·lac·tic [trof-, uh, -, lak, -tik, troh-f, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trophallaxis¹

1915–20; troph- + Greek állaxis exchange, equivalent to allak- (verbid stem of allássein to change; allo- ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of trophallaxis¹

C19/20: from New Latin, from tropho- + Greek allaxis exchange, from allassein to change, from allos other

Example Sentences

Worker termites feed other castes digested food in a process called trophallaxis.

From Science Magazine

The researchers trained the computer to identify a behavior called trophallaxis, in which honey bees feed their fellow workers by regurgitating food from a pouch called a crop.

From Science Magazine

About half as much trophallaxis took place with sick bees compared with normal workers.

From Science Magazine

Wheeler proposed that “trophallaxis” – a word he invented for the way insects regurgitate and share food among themselves – was the secret sauce, the superglue of societies both insect and human, and the foundation of economics.

From The Guardian

Simone Leigh’s fantastic “trophallaxis,” a hanging bundle of nut-shaped, slate gray terra-cotta breasts, bristling with fully extended car antennas, may be an exception.

From New York Times