phoresy

[ fawr-uh-see ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. (among insects and arachnids) a nonparasitic relationship in which one species is carried about by another.

phoresy

/ ˈfɒrəsɪ /

noun

1. an association in which one animal clings to another to ensure movement from place to place, as some mites use some insects

Word History and Origins

Origin of phoresy¹

1920–25; < New Latin phoresia < Greek phórēs ( is ) a wearing ( phorē-, verbid stem of phoreîn, durative of phérein to bear ¹ + -sis -sis ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of phoresy¹

C20: from New Latin phoresia, from Greek phorēsis, from pherein to carry

Example Sentences

Researchers refer to this form of freeloading as phoresy.

From Scientific American

That makes the duo the oldest known fossil evidence of hitch-hiking behavior, or phoresy, in a large group of mites called the Astigmata.

From Science Magazine

That makes the duo the oldest known fossil evidence of hitch-hiking behavior, or phoresy, in a large group of mites called the Astigmata.

From Science Magazine