A parasite is a small animal or plant that lives on or inside a larger animal or plant, and gets its food from it.
2. countable noun
If you disapprove of someone because you think that they get money or other things from other people but do not do anything in return, you can call them a parasite.
[disapproval]
More Synonyms of parasite
parasite in British English
(ˈpærəˌsaɪt)
noun
1.
an animal or plant that lives in or on another (the host) from which it obtains nourishment. The host does not benefit from the association and is often harmed by it
2.
a person who habitually lives at the expense of others; a sponger
3.
(formerly) a sycophant
Derived forms
parasitic (ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk) or parasitical (ˌparaˈsitical)
adjective
parasitically (ˌparaˈsitically)
adverb
Word origin
C16: via Latin from Greek parasitos one who lives at another's expense, from para-1 + sitos grain
parasite in American English
(ˈpærəˌsaɪt)
noun
1.
a person, as in ancient Greece, who flattered and amused the host in return for free meals
2.
a person who lives at the expense of another or others without making any useful contribution or return; hanger-on
3. Biology
a plant or animal that lives on or in an organism of another species from which it derives sustenance or protection without benefit to, and usually with harmful effects on, the host
Word origin
L parasitus < Gr parasitos, one who eats at the table of another, parasite, toady < para-, beside (see para-1) + sitos, food, grain
Examples of 'parasite' in a sentence
parasite
They can also harbour a parasite that may cause a rare form of meningitis.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But vets say dogs can carry bacterial and viral infections, parasites and scratch diseases.
The Sun (2013)
This makes the task of introducing tolerance to parasites or disease via genetic modification exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.
Christy Campbell PHYLLOXERA: How Wine was Saved for the World (2004)
Such animals often missed out on vaccinations, resulting in parasites and diseases that could lead to an early death.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Large numbers of intestinal parasites are a possibility, but that's less likely in an older cat.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The new technique traps parasites which cause the disease inside a person's red blood cells - halting its spread.
The Sun (2014)
The populations build to a peak, influenced by weather and other factors such as predators and parasites, and then crash.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
parasite
British English: parasite NOUN
A parasite is a small animal or plant that lives on or inside a larger animal or plant, and gets its food from it.