|
|
| |
Definitions for: Parasite
[n] an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); the parasite obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
[n] a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage
Webster (1913) Definition: Par"a*site, n. [F., fr. L. parasitus, Gr. ?, lit.,
eating beside, or at the table of, another; ? beside + ? to
feed, from ? wheat, grain, food.]
1. One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at
another's expense, and earns his welcome by flattery; a
hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant.
Thou, with trembling fear, Or like a fawning
parasite, obey'st. --Milton.
Parasites were called such smell-feasts as would
seek to be free guests at rich men's tables.
--Udall.
2. (Bot.)
(a) A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other
plants to which it attaches itself, and whose juices
it absorbs; -- sometimes, but erroneously, called
epiphyte.
(b) A plant living on or within an animal, and supported
at its expense, as many species of fungi of the genus
Torrubia.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) An animal which lives during the whole or part of its
existence on or in the body of some other animal,
feeding upon its food, blood, or tissues, as lice,
tapeworms, etc.
(b) An animal which steals the food of another, as the
parasitic jager.
(c) An animal which habitually uses the nest of another,
as the cowbird and the European cuckoo.
Synonyms: leech, sponge, sponger
Antonyms: host
See Also: being, ectoparasite, ectozoa, ectozoon, endoparasite, endozoa, endozoan, entoparasite, entozoa, entozoan, entozoon, epizoa, epizoon, follower, organism, parasitic plant
|
|
Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder
Scrabble Cheat
Words With Friends Cheat
Hanging With Friends Cheat
Scramble With Friends Cheat
Ruzzle Cheat
Related Resources:
animals beginning with u
animals starting with j
animals begin with c
|
