'commensalism' originates from the Latin word 'commensalis,' where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'mensalis' meant 'of the table.'

'commensalis' transformed into the French word 'commensal,' and eventually became the modern English word 'commensalism.'

Initially, it meant 'sharing a table,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits without affecting the other.'