commensal Biology [ kə'mɛns(ə)l ]
■ adjective relating to or denoting an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm.
■ noun a commensal organism, such as many bacteria.
Derivatives
commensalism noun
commensality kɒmən'salɪti noun
Origin
C19: from med. L. commensalis , from com- 'sharing' + mensa 'a table'.