leech
To apply a leech medicinally, so that it sucks blood from the patientTo apply a leech medicinally, so that it sucks blood from the patient.
» My legs were covered with leeches.
Ich hatte überall Blutegel an den Beinen. — Waldelfe
CK · Tatoeba · CC BY 2.0 FRMeaning
3 senses(literally, transitive)To apply a leech medicinally, so that it sucks blood from the patient.
(figuratively, transitive)To drain (resources) without giving back.
Near-synonyms: mooch, suck down
Bert leeched hundreds of files from the BBS, but never uploaded anything in return.
saugen, leechen
паразитува́тиparazytuváty
(archaic, rare)To treat, cure or heal.
1564, Accounts of Louth Corporalː Paid for leeching.. my horses very sick.
1566–74, Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotlandː To one man (that) broke his leg in Strivelin … Item to the man that leecheth him.
- draw blood
Examples
37 sentencesMy legs were covered with leeches.
deIch hatte überall Blutegel an den Beinen. — Waldelfe
Tom is nothing but a leech.
Tom is a leech.
Tom is just a leech.
Leeches are parasites.
Translations
2 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English leche (“blood-sucking worm”), from Old English lǣċe (“blood-sucking woFrom Middle English leche (“blood-sucking worm”), from Old English lǣċe (“blood-sucking worm”), akin to Middle Dutch lāke ("blood-sucking worm"; > modern Dutch laak).
From Middle English lechen (“to cure, heal, treat”), from Middle English leche (“doctor, physician”). Compare Swedish läka (“to heal”) and Norwegian Nynorsk lækja (“to heal”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
leeches, leeching, leeched, leechedSynonyms
8 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle