C1noun · rare

parasite

par·a·site

parasite · parasites

паразит

Schmarotzer, Parasit

An organism that lives on or in another organism of a different species, deriving…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.

ⓘ

/ˈpæɹəˌsaɪt/

» Leeches are parasites.

Meaning

8 senses

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.
Lice, fleas, ticks, and mites are widely spread parasites.
Schmarotzer, Parasit
парази́тparazít
парази́тparazýt
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.
(informal, specifically)An internal parasite that is an animal or protist.
(derogatory)A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.
Parasit
парази́тparazít, нахле́бникnaxlébnik, тунея́децtunejádec
парази́тparazýt, дармої́дdarmojíd
(derogatory)A sycophant or hanger-on.
(literary, poetic)A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.
(historical)A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.
A component of a composite aircraft which is carried aloft and air-launched by a larger carrier aircraft or mother ship to support the primary mission of the carrier; a parasite aircraft.
(attributive)An isolated (FSDU) (freestanding display unit )
parasite display
parasite stand

More definitions

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

Examples

40 sentences

Leeches are parasites.
CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · C1Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Parasites are dangerous.
Паразити небезпечні.
ruПаразиты опасны.
deSchmarotzer sind gefährlich.
CC BY · Tatoeba · shekitten · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Oxpeckers rid giraffes of their parasites.
CC BY · Tatoeba · Amastan · C2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
We don't want any parasites here.
CC BY · Tatoeba · Ergulis · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Which parasite is the most resistant?
CC BY · Tatoeba · gokustan · C1Open on Tatoeba Report a problem

Translations

9 languages

Українська

By meaning 2

(biology) organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism:

useless person who always relies on other people's work and gives nothing back:

Русский

By meaning 2

(biology) organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism:

useless person who always relies on other people's work and gives nothing back:

Deutsch

By meaning 1

(biology) organism that exists by stealing resources from another organism:

Origin

From Middle French parasite, from Latin parasitus, from Ancient Greek παράσιτος (parásitos

From Middle French parasite, from Latin parasitus, from Ancient Greek παράσιτος (parásitos, “person who eats at the table of another”), from noun use of adjective meaning "feeding beside", from παρά (pará, “beside”) + σῖτος (sîtos, “food”).

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