parasite
/ˈpæɹəˌsaɪt/ · noun
Meaning
- A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.
- A sycophant or hanger-on.
- 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.
- A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.
- A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.
Etymology / origin
No prose etymology has been added yet.
No ancestor words have been linked yet.
Related words
Descendant words
No descendant words have been linked yet.