PARASITE

parasite

(noun) an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host

leech, parasite, sponge, sponger

(noun) a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

parasite (plural parasites)

(pejorative) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back. [from 16th c.]

(pejorative) A sycophant or hanger-on.

(biology) An organism that lives on or in another organism of a different species, deriving benefit from living on or in that other organism, while not contributing towards that other organism sufficiently to cover the cost to that other organism.

(literary, poetic) A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc. [from 19th c.]

(historical) A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.

Synonyms

• (useless person): See also scrounger

Antonyms

• commensal (doing no noticeable harm)

• mutualist or sometimes symbiote (beneficial)

Anagrams

• aspirate, pastiera, septaria

Source: Wiktionary

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Par"a*site, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. parasitus, Gr.

1. One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at another's expense, and earns his welcome by flattery; a hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant. Thou, with trembling fear, Or like a fawning parasite, obey'st. Milton. Parasites were called such smell-feasts as would seek to be free guests at rich men's tables. Udall.

2. (Bot.) (a) A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other plants to which it attaches itself, and whose juices it absorbs; -- sometimes, but erroneously, called epiphyte. (b) A plant living on or within an animal, and supported at its expense, as many species of fungi of the genus Torrubia.

3. (Zoöl.) (a) An animal which lives during the whole or part of its existence on or in the body of some other animal, feeding upon its food, blood, or tissues, as lice, tapeworms, etc. (b) An animal which steals the food of another, as the parasitic jager. (c) An animal which habitually uses the nest of another, as the cowbird and the European cuckoo.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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