com|men´sal|ly

com|men|sal «kuh MEHN suhl», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. Biology. living in close relationship with another species of animal or plant, sharing food, but not parasitic: »

Certain commensal crabs live in the burrows of marine worms, not harming the worms in any way and sometimes receiving benefit from the relationship.

2. eating together at the same table.

–n.

1. a commensal animal or plant: »

When such an association becomes too peaceful, however, so that the host is not harmed at all, we cease to call the animal a parasite, but refer to it as a commensal (A. M. Winchester).

2. a person who eats with others at the same table; messmate.

╂[< Medieval Latin commensalis < Latin com- together + mēnsālis belonging to the table < mēnsa table]

–com|men´sal|ly, adverb.