parasitic
pronunciation
How to pronounce parasitic in British English:
UK [ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk]
How to pronounce parasitic in American English:
US [ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk]
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- Adjective:
- relating to or caused by parasites
- of or pertaining to epenthesis
- of plants or persons; having the nature or habits of a parasite or leech; living off another
Word Origin
- parasitic (adj.)
- 1620s, from Latin parasiticus, from Greek parasitikos "of or pertaining to a parasite; the trade of a parasite," from parasitos (see parasite). Biological sense is from 1731. Related: Parasitical, 1570s in reference to toadies; from 1640s in the biological sense.
Example
- 1. Striga is a parasitic weed that africans commonly call witchweed .
- 2. Such environments channel society 's output towards a parasitic elite , discouraging investment and innovation .
- 3. Dodder is a parasitic plant .
- 4. But the institution itself is parasitic .
- 5. Democrats crowed that mr romney had written off half the electorate as parasitic loafers .