parasite
n.-
1 biological organism (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Biologya plant or animal that lives on or inside another living thing and gets its food from it.
an organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (the host) and derives nutrients at the host's expense.
ExampleThe doctor explained that the stomach pain was caused by a parasite from the dirty water.
ExampleThe life cycle of this particular parasite requires two different hosts to reach maturity before it can reproduce effectively.
- host
- symbiote
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2 lazy or exploitative person (n.) C1 Advanced Informala person who takes money, food, or help from others but never does anything to help in return.
a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return. Often used as a derogatory social or political label.
ExampleHe hasn't had a job in years and just lives like a parasite off his parents.
ExampleThe editorial attacked the corrupt officials, describing them as parasites who drained the country's resources while the public suffered.
- leech
- freeloader
- hanger on
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3 secondary aircraft (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Aviationa smaller plane that is carried and launched by a much larger aircraft.
a component of a composite aircraft that is carried aloft and air-launched by a larger carrier aircraft or mother ship.
ExampleThe experimental rocket was launched as a parasite from the wing of a heavy bomber.
ExampleEngineers evaluated the aerodynamic interference between the mother ship and the parasite aircraft during the high-altitude release sequence.
- parasite aircraft
- mother ship
- carrier
From Middle French parasite, from Latin parasitus, from Ancient Greek παράσιτος (parásitos, “person who eats at the table of another”), from noun use of adjective meaning "feeding beside", from παρά (pará, “beside”) + σῖτος (sîtos, “food”).
- Nounparasite
- Adjectiveparasitic