adj
noun
Freq #32967
Meanings
-
1
adj
Relating to or caused by parasites, which live on or in another organism.
The doctor treated her for a parasitic infection picked up abroad.
-
2
adj
Living off another organism for food and survival.
The parasitic worm draws nutrients straight from its host.
-
3
adj
Taking advantage of someone else for personal gain without giving anything back.
Critics called the scheme a parasitic business that drained value from honest players.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
1
adj
· relating to or caused by...
parasitical
2
adj
· living off another organism...
bloodsucking
Word family
Derived forms
alloparasiticantiparasiticautoparasiticbiparasiticbrood-parasiticchemicoparasiticcircumparasiticectoparasiticendoparasiticentomoparasiticepiparasiticextraparasitic
Etymology
From parasite + -ic.