parasites

Noun

parasite (plural parasites)

1. 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.
   • Lice, fleas, ticks, and mites are widely spread parasites.
   1. (informal, specifically) An internal parasite that is an animal or protist.
      • He lacks, however, even the basic Dr. Kildare lingo about medical issues. For instance, he regularly misidentifies poppers as amyl nitrate, instead of amyl nitrite — two forms of heart medicine with different affects ^([sic]). Salmonella, a bacteria, is not usually classified as a parasite. And he...1987 December 27, Charley Shively, “AIDS In The Mind Of The Left And The Mainstream”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 24, page 9
2. (derogatory) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.
   • Of all the corrupting effects of wealth there is none worse than this, that it makes the wealthy (and their parasites) think in some way divine, or at least a lovely character of the mind, what is in truth nothing but their power of luxurious living.1902, Hilaire Belloc, The Path to Rome

   Synonyms:

   bloodsucker, bludger, bummer, freeloader, free rider, gadfly, leech, mooch, moocher, scrounge

3. (derogatory) A sycophant or hanger-on.
4. (literary, poetic) A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.
   • Her golden tresses shade / The bosom's stainless pride, / Curling like tendrils of the parasite / Around a marble column.1813, Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Canto I”, in Queen Mab; […], London: […] P. B. Shelley, […], →OCLC, page 3
5. (historical) A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.

See all 9 meanings of parasite