Parasite

Quick meaning: Parasite is a noun meaning (derogatory) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.

Meaning

(derogatory) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.

More Meanings

1. (derogatory) A sycophant or hanger-on.
2. (literary, poetic) A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.
3. (retail, used attributively) An isolated (FSDU) (freestanding display unit )
4. (aviation) 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.
5. (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.
6. (historical) A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.
7. (rare) To parasitize.

Example Sentences

parasite display

Lice, fleas, ticks, and mites are widely spread parasites.

A royalist who publicly called for a military intervention to protect the parasite monarchy.

Her golden tresses shade / The bosom's stainless pride, / Curling like tendrils of the parasite / Around a marble column.

Word Forms

• parasites
• parasiting
• parasited

Synonyms for parasite

Depending on context, synonyms include bloodsucker, bludger, bummer, freeloader, gadfly, leech.

Antonyms for parasite

Common opposites include commensal, mutualist, host.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include minion, leech, sponge, deadbeat, interference, stray.

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