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

The study also underscores the role of varroa mites, parasitic pests that spread many of the viruses tied to queen failure.

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Both parties finally agree the industry is parasitic.

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The fossils studied came from early relatives of modern clams that lived during the Ordovician Period, a time of rapid ecological expansion when marine life became increasingly mobile, predatory, and parasitic.

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And while his DSA had a highly critical but ultimately cooperative relationship with the Democratic Party, today’s has a parasitic one.

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A minuscule parasitic worm capable of springing into the air up to 25 times its own body length can latch onto flying insects with the help of static electricity, according to new research.

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