inquiline

[ in-kwuh-lahyn, -lin ]

noun

1. Zoology. an animal living in the nest, burrow, or body of another animal.

adjective

1. of the nature of an inquiline.

inquiline

/ ˌɪnkwɪˈlɪnɪtɪ; ˌɪnkwɪˈlaɪnəs; ˈɪnkwɪlɪˌnɪzəm; ˈɪnkwɪˌlaɪn /

noun

1. an animal that lives in close association with another animal without harming it See also commensal

adjective

1. of or living as an inquiline

Derived Forms

• inquilinous, adjective
• inquilinism, noun

Other Words From

• in·qui·lin·i·ty [in-kw, uh, -, lin, -i-tee], noun
• in·qui·li·nous [in-kw, uh, -, lahy, -n, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiline¹

1635–45; < Latin inquilīnus tenant, equivalent to in- in- ² + -quil-, combining form (noninitially before a front vowel) of colere to live in ( -colous ) + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inquiline¹

C17: from Latin inquilīnus lodger, from in- ² + colere to dwell

Example Sentences

The colonies of Bombus illustrate the rise of the inquiline habit.

From Project Gutenberg

Inquiline: a species living in a gall or other structure prepared by a different species, not as a parasite but as, a guest.

From Project Gutenberg

Inquiline, in′kwi-lin, adj. living in the abode of another, as a pea-crab in an oyster-shell.

From Project Gutenberg

This cockroach is the most closely associated inquiline in the nest and maintains very intimate terms with the ants.

From Project Gutenberg

Inquiline: living as guests in the homes of others; as in galls.

From Project Gutenberg