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parasite

noun

par·​a·​site ˈper-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce parasite (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
plural parasites
1
: an organism living in, on, or with another organism in order to obtain nutrients, grow, or multiply often in a state that directly or indirectly harms the host (see host entry 3 sense 2a)
Now the death of its host is certainly a setback to any parasite. To some (like the tapeworm) it is fatal; but smarter ones (like the louse) simply go off in search of a new host. David Jones
The fungus is an obligate parasite, that is, it must have a living host (tobacco) on which to grow and complete its life cycle. G. B. Lucas
The blood schizogonic cycle of human malaria parasites has thus far been the most exhaustively studied phase of parasite development. Dominique Mazier et al.
Sadly, the vireo is vulnerable to a nest parasite, the brown-headed cowbird … . The cowbird lays its much-larger eggs in the vireo's nest, which hatch first and place such a high food demand on its tiny "parents" that the vireo young go unfed. Karen D. Fishler

Note: Some restrict the use of parasite to include only multicellular forms (such as protozoans and helminths) while others use it to include bacteria and viruses.

Unlike bacteria or viruses, parasites undergo a metamorphosis during their life cycles that presents the human immune system with a moving target. Lawrence M. Fisher
Like all viruses, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an intracellular parasite: the virus particle itself is inert and cannot propagate or do any damage until it enters a host cell. Jonathan N. Weber and Robin A. Weiss
Salmonella species are intracellular parasites, and it is thought that these bacteria gain access to their host by penetrating through intestinal epithelial cells. B. Brett Finlay et al.
see also ectoparasite, endoparasite
2
: someone or something that resembles a biological parasite in living off of, being dependent on, or exploiting another while giving little or nothing in return
But the frequent and familiar companions of the great, are those parasites, who practise the most useful of all arts, the art of flattery … Edward Gibbon
Their lyrics … convey a bilious contempt for the city's wealthy parasites … Philip Montoro
In their view, the country is afflicted with a class of parasites—"Career politicians," who devote their lives to perpetuating themselves in office by spending the people's money. Hendrick Hertzberg
Regulatory agencies have stripped Holyfield of his boxing license now, protecting him from his pride and from the parasites who can still squeeze money out of the faded neon in his name. Dan Le Batard

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for parasite

parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker.

parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

Example Sentences

Many diseases are caused by parasites. She's a parasite who only stays with him for the money. These new companies are parasites feeding off the success of those who spent the last decade establishing the industry.
Recent Examples on the Web In addition to the HIV mutation, there are only two others that are known: One for the norovirus, and another for a malaria parasite. Teresa M. Hanafin, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 The neurological disease is caused by a parasite found in possum droppings and can be treated with medicine. Elisha Fieldstadt, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2022 Heartworm is a parasite that causes a pulmonary disease in pets like dogs, cats and ferrets. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 21 June 2022 Bitter crab disease, a common disease caused by a parasite, was also noted as one potential cause for the massive uptick in mortality. Elizabeth Earl For Alaska Journal Of Commerce, Anchorage Daily News, 16 June 2022 The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has been a parasite of humans for thousands of years. Jerome Goddard, The Conversation, 3 June 2022 Climate change may be amplifying a deadly parasite in honeybee populations. Allison Chinchar And Jennifer Gray, CNN, 14 Aug. 2022 If a tick latched onto the skin of someone who was vaccinated, antibodies in the person’s blood would kill the pathogens inside the parasite. Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 This allowed the parasite to move on to its optimal host. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 4 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Latin parasitus, from Greek parasitos, from para- + sitos grain, food

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasite was in 1539

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