parasitismn.
/ˈparəsᵻtɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈpɛrəsəˌtɪz(ə)m/, /ˈpɛrəˌsaɪˌtɪz(ə)m/ 1. The state or condition of being a parasite (parasite n. 1a); the practice of living on or at the expense of another person, or of society; parasitic attributes or habits; (formerly also) †sycophancy, servility (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > [noun] > parasitism or sponging
bloodsucking1583
parasitism1611
parasitry1663
sponging1677
sponge1693
parasiticalness1727
freeloading1937
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Escorniflerie,..base Parasitisme, ieasting, or tale-carrying, for victuals.
1649 Proclam. Parl. Scotl. for Charles Prince of Wales 5 That the Commanders of Ships and Pinnaces, be from henceforth made choice of, rather then a vaine pretence of estate (Bribery, Parasitisme, or Lordly favour) by their abilities in Navigation and Sea service.
1659 J. Gauden Serm. (1660) A iv b Parasitisme differs as much from just and comely praise, as Divels do from good Angels.
1860 A. L. Windsor Ethica v. 221 Nor was venality and parasitism less its characteristic than at the worst times of the Restoration.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 28 Nov. 2/2 Accepting the conditions of parasitism imposed by his time upon the poet and the preacher.
1975 Nature 17 Apr. 554/3 Methods mentioned include the issue of call-up papers for retraining in the Soviet Army.., prosecution for ‘parasitism’ (being without employment, although the scientists concerned have been deprived of their jobs as a result of applications for exit visas), [etc.].
2000 C. Brunsdon Feminist, Housewife & Soap Opera xi. 199 This is the narcissism and parasitism of the media themselves, the internal interest in ‘a media story’.
2. Biology. The condition of living as a parasite on, in, or with a host organism; parasitic quality or habit. See parasite n. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > balance of nature > relationships of organisms > [noun] > parasitism
parasitism1853
xenoparasitism1905
brood parasitism1914
holoparasitism1927
1853 G. Johnston Terra Lindisfarnensis I. 258 Numerous microscopic Algae deform the cleanness of the stems by their excessive parasitism.
1870 G. Rolleston Forms Animal Life p. xix The special habit of parasitism..must be regarded as entailing a true morphological degradation.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. x. 171 A shelter-association may readily come to have some connection with feeding, and thus point the way to parasitism.
1986 M. Kogut tr. H. G. Schlegel Gen. Microbiol. xvii. 519 When one of the partners is damaged, the association is called parasitism.
1993 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 4 Mar. 31/2 Some of the long-distance migrants..have suffered parasitism by cowbirds in eighty out of a hundred nests.
3. Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Parasitic infestation; disease caused by parasites.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > parasitic disorders > [noun]
parasitism1855
1855 Harper's Mag. Oct. 674/2 M. Raspail ascribes ‘the parasitism of the infinitely small’ as the cause of nine-tenths of our diseases.
1884 Public Opinion 12 Sept. 335/1 Vegetarians..flattered themselves..they escaped the ills of parasitism.
1898 H. W. Conn Story Germ Life v. 172 The severity of the disease will depend upon the extent of the parasitism.
1971 Country Life 2 Dec. 1530/1 In older leverets, parasitism may be the main problem.
1995 Dogfancy July 24/1 What causes a breakdown of the skin's defenses? Usually it is related to external parasitism (fleas, scabies, ticks) or hormone imbalances.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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