SYMBIOSIS Dictionary.com

sym·bi·o·sis

   [sim-bee-oh-sis, -bahy-]  Show IPA

noun, plural sym·bi·o·ses  [-seez]  Show IPA.

1.

Biology .

a.

the living together of two dissimilar organisms, as inmutualism, commensalism, amensalism, or parasitism.

b.

(formerly) mutualism ( def. 1 ) .

2.

Psychiatry . a relationship between two people in which eachperson is dependent upon and receives reinforcement,whether beneficial or detrimental, from the other.

3.

Psychoanalysis . the relationship between an infant and itsmother in which the infant is dependent on the mother bothphysically and emotionally.

4.

any interdependent or mutually beneficial relationshipbetween two persons, groups, etc.

Origin: 
1615–25;  < Greek symbíōsis,  equivalent to sym- sym-  + biō (variant stem of bioûn  to live) + -sis -sis

Related forms

sym·bi·ot·ic  [sim-bee-ot-ik, -bahy-]  Show IPAsym·bi·ot·i·cal, adjective