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.
alloxeny
Two or more species of parasites occurring on different host species.
autoxenous
A reference to a parasite that passes through the different stages of its life cycle in the same host individual.
axenic
1. Not contaminated by or associated with any foreign organisms, used in reference to pure cultures of microorganisms or to germ-free animals.
2. A reference to a pure culture free from contaminant organisms.
3. Free from contamination.
axenous
A reference to axeny.
axeny
1. Not contaminated by or associated with any other living organisms. Usually used in reference to pure cultures of microorganisms that are completely free of the presence of other organisms.
2. A reference to experimental animals that are raised under sterile conditions; such as, "axenic conditions"; "germfree animals".
dixenic
A mixed culture of one organism together with two other speicies.
dixenous
Said of a parasite that may infect two species, but can pass its entire life cycle on either.
dixeny
1. A parasite making use of two different host species during its life-cycle.
2. A mixed culture of organisms where one organism is associated with two other speicies.
euryxenous
euxenite
exendotrophic
1. A reference to fungi that grow on the outside of the roots.
2. Nourished or receiving nourishment from external parts.
geoxene
1. An organism that becomes a temporary member of the soil fauna.
2. An organism found in a soil stratum of which it is not normally a resident.
geoxeny
A situation where an organism becomes a temporary or an accidental member of soil fauna; temporary includion in soil fauna.
heteroxenous
In biology, going through different stages of growth on different hosts, as certain parasitic fungi; also, heteroecious.
heteroxeny,
1. Requiring more than one host in the life cycle, said of certain parasites.
2. Infecting more than one kind of host during a life cycle.
Related "foreign, strange" word families:
allotrio-;
barbar-.
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