Symbiotic
/ˌsɪm.baɪˈɒt.ɪk/noun
Relating to symbiosis, a close and often long-term relationship between two different organisms.
Did you know?Although it sounds modern, the idea behind symbiotic comes from Greek roots for “together” and “life,” and the scientific term symbiosis was coined in the 19th century to name organisms living in intimate partnership.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sýn
“together, with”
Ancient Greek
Greek
bíos
“life”
1870s
French
symbiose
“a close living together of unlike organisms”
Late 19th Century
English
symbiosis
“the living together of two different kinds of organisms”
Early 20th Century
English
symbiotic
“relating to symbiosis or a symbiotic relationship”
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