/ ˌsɪmbaɪˈəʊsɪs; NAmE -ˈoʊsɪs/ noun [ U , C ] ( pl. sym·bi·oses / -ˈəʊsiːz; NAmE -ˈoʊsiːz/)
1.
( biology ) the relationship between two different living creatures that live close together and depend on each other in particular ways, each getting particular benefits from the other
2.
a relationship between people, companies, etc. that is to the advantage of both
► sym·bi·ot·ic / -ˈɒtɪk; NAmE -ˈɑːtɪk/ adjective :
a symbiotic relationship
► sym·bi·ot·ic·al·ly / ˌsɪmbaɪˈɒtɪkli; NAmE -ˈɑːtɪk-/ adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: modern Latin , from Greek sumbiōsis a living together, from sumbioun live together, from sumbios companion.