ectocommensal

[ ek-toh-kuh-men-suhl ]

adjective

1. Biology. (of an organism) living in a commensal relationship on the exterior of another organism.

noun

1. an ectocommensal organism.

Other Words From

• ecto·com·mensal·ism ec·to·com·men·sal·i·ty [ek-toh-kom-en-, sal, -i-tee], noun
• ecto·com·mensal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ectocommensal¹

First recorded in 1935–40; ecto- + commensal