kairomone

noun

kai·​ro·​mone ˈkī-rə-ˌmōn How to pronounce kairomone (audio)
-rō-
: a chemical substance emitted by one species and especially an insect or plant that has an adaptive benefit (such as a stimulus for oviposition) to another species

Word History

Etymology

Greek kairos critical time, opportunity + English -mone (as in pheromone)

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kairomone was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near kairomone

Kainozoic

kairomone

kairos

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Kairomone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kairomone. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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