Emery's rule

proper noun

The rule that social parasites generally tend to be parasites of species or genera to which they are closely related.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. The rule that social parasites generally tend to be parasites of species or genera to which they are closely related.

Origin

Named after entomologist Carlo Emery, who noticed it in insects in 1909.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Emery's rule. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Emery's%20rule

MLA

“Emery's rule.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Emery's%20rule. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Emery's rule,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Emery's%20rule.

Source: Emery's rule on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.