symbiotic

Etymology

From symbiosis + -tic, from Ancient Greek συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis), from σύν (sún, “with”) + βίος (bíos, “life”).

adj

1. (ecology) Of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.
   A lichen is a fungus with symbiotic algae among its cells.
   Orchids rely on fungi to reproduce. Their tiny seeds don't have any on-board nutrients (like beans and apples) and will not germinate until they are infected by a symbiotic fungus which supplies them with food. Known as a protocorm, this tiny orchid-fungus ball grows, turns green and eventually starts to photosynthesise. 5 April 2014, “Quite interesting: A quietly intriguing column from the brains behind QI, the BBC quiz show. This week; QI orchids you not”, in The Daily Telegraph (Weekend), page W22
2. Of a relationship with mutual benefit between two individuals or organisms.

noun

1. (astronomy) A symbiotic star.