parasite

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpærəsaɪt/
• American: PAIR-uh-syte

Origin

From Latin "parasitus," originally from Greek "parasitos," meaning "person who eats at the table of another"

Meanings

1. (noun) An organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host
2. (noun) A person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return

Example Sentences

1. The tapeworm is a common intestinal parasite in some animals.
2. He was seen as a parasite, always relying on his friends for money and shelter.

Related Words

• Parasitic (adjective)
• Parasitism (noun)
• Parasitize (verb)
• Parasitology (noun)

Synonyms: freeloader, sponger, leech, scrounger

Memorization Trick

Think "PAIR-of-SITE": A parasite needs a pair - itself and a host site to live on. It can't survive on its own site (place).