- symbiosis
- 1. The biological association of two or more species to their mutual benefit. Cf.:commensalism, mutualistic s., parasitism. 2. The mutual cooperation or interdependence of two persons, as mother and infant, or husband and wife; sometimes used to denote excessive or pathological interdependence of two persons. [G. s., state of living together, fr. sym- + bios, life, + -osis, condition]- dyadic s. s. between a child and one parent.- mutualistic s. s. in which all partners obtain an advantage.- triadic s. s. between a child and both parents.
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1) the living together of two dissimilar organisms in more or less intimate association or close union2) the intimate living together of two dissimilar organisms in a mutually beneficial relationship esp MUTUALISM* * *
n.an intimate and obligatory association between two different species of organism (symbionts) in which there is mutual aid and benefit. Compare commensal, mutualism, parasite.* * *
sym·bi·o·sis (sim″bi-oґsis) pl. symbioґses [Gr. symbiōsis] 1. in parasitology, the living together or close association of two dissimilar organisms, each of the organisms being known as a symbiont. The association may be beneficial to both (mutualism), beneficial to one without effect on the other (commensalism), beneficial to one and detrimental to the other (parasitism), detrimental to one without effect on the other (amensalism), or detrimental to both (synnecrosis). 2. in psychiatry, a mutually reinforcing relationship between two persons who are dependent on each other; a normal characteristic of the relationship between the mother and infant child.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
