parasitic

Sometimes par·a·sit·i·cal

[par-uh-sit-ik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of parasites.

2. (of diseases) due to parasites.

3. Phonetics.,  excrescent.

Other Word Forms

• parasitically adverb
• parasiticalness noun
• antiparasitic noun
• antiparasitical adjective
• antiparasitically adverb
• nonparasitic adjective
• nonparasitical adjective
• nonparasitically adverb
• pseudoparasitic adjective
• unparasitic adjective
• unparasitical adjective
• unparasitically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of parasitic¹

1620–30; < Latin parasīticus < Greek parasītikós. See parasite, -ic

Example Sentences

California health officials warn that the New World Screwworm could arrive in California from an infested traveler or animal, or from the natural travel of the parasitic flies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A parasitic fly whose maggots can infest living livestock, birds, pets and humans, could threaten California soon.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Indian doctors have successfully removed "parasitic twins" - two foetuses that were growing inside the abdomen of a 20-day-old baby.

Read more on BBC

NWS myiasis is a parasitic infestation of fly larvae, or maggots, caused by parasitic flies.

Read more on BBC

The hacks “are parasitic in nature,” the complaint said, alleging violations of the game’s terms of service, copyright law and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Read more on Los Angeles Times