Definitions for: Leech


[n] carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end
[n] a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage
[v] draw blood; "In the old days, doctors routinely bled patients as part of the treatment"



Webster (1913) Definition: Leech (l[=e]ch), n.
See 2d Leach.


Leech, v. t.
See Leach, v. t.


Leech, n. [Cf. LG. leik, Icel. l[=i]k, Sw. lik boltrope,
st[*a]ende liken the leeches.] (Naut.)
The border or edge at the side of a sail. [Written also
leach.]

Leech line, a line attached to the leech ropes of sails,
passing up through blocks on the yards, to haul the
leeches by. --Totten.

Leech rope, that part of the boltrope to which the side of
a sail is sewed.


Leech, n. [OE. leche, l[ae]che, physician, AS. l[=ae]ce;
akin to Fries. l[=e]tza, OHG. l[=a]hh[=i], Icel. l[ae]knari,
Sw. l["a]kare, Dan. l[ae]ge, Goth. l[=e]keis, AS. l[=a]cnian
to heal, Sw. l["a]ka, Dan. l[ae]ge, Icel. l[ae]kna, Goth.
l[=e]kin[=o]n.]
1. A physician or surgeon; a professor of the art of healing.
[Written also leach.] [Archaic] --Spenser.

Leech, heal thyself. --Wyclif (Luke
iv. 23).

2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous genera and species of
annulose worms, belonging to the order Hirudinea, or
Bdelloidea, esp. those species


Leech, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Leeched (l[=e]cht); p. pr.
& vb. n. Leeching.]
1. To treat as a surgeon; to doctor; as, to leech wounds.
[Archaic]

2. To bleed by the use of leeches.

Synonyms: bleed, bloodsucker, hirudinean, parasite, phlebotomise, phlebotomize, sponge, sponger

See Also: annelid, annelid worm, care for, class Hirudinea, follower, Hirudinea, Hirudo medicinalis, horseleech, medicinal leech, segmented worm, treat

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