xeno-, xen-, -xenic, -xenism, -xenist, -xenous, -xeny
(Greek: foreign, foreigner; alien; strange, stranger; and by extension, guest)
The "x" in xeno- is pronounced "z"; "zeno". Greeks are said to have considered any stranger a "guest" and modern Greek includes xenodocheion a "guest house" or "house for guests" or its modern version of "hotel".
The etymological meaning usually denotes some aspect of a relationship involving guests or visitors of some kind.
homoxeny, homoxenous
1. Requiring only one host in the life cycle; said of certain parasites.
2. Different parasites occupying the same host splecies.
lipoxenous, lipoxeny
1. A reference to a parasite that leaves its host after feeding and has secured adequate nourishment.
2. Deserting its host; said of certain parasitic fungi which after a time quit the plant which served as a host for them.
metoxenous
1. Having more than one host; said of a parasite passing different stages of its life cycle in different animals.
2. Parasitic existence on different hosts at different stages in life-history; also, metoecious and heteroecious.
misoxene
A hater of strangers.
misoxenist
Someone who hates strangers.
misoxeny
The hatred of strangers.
monaxenic
A mixed culture of an organism with one prey speicies.
monoxeny, monoxenous
A reference to a parasite that is restricted or which utilizes a single host species during its life cycle.
myremecoxenous
Furnishing both food and shelter for ants.
myrmecoxenous, myrmecoxeny
A reference of plants that provide both food and shelter for ants and termites.
oligoxeny, oligoxenous
1. A reference to parasites that utilize a few host species during their life cycles.
2. Parasites adapted to life in only a few species of hosts.
perixenitis
An inflammatory reaction to a foreign body implanted in an organ or tissue of the body.
philoxenism
philoxenist
One who is fond of or who is happiest when entertaining strangers.
pleioxenous, pleioxeny
A reference to a parasite that is not host specific, or a parasite that has several hosts during its life cycle.
Related "foreign, strange" word families:
allotrio-;
barbar-.
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