parasitic
[par-uh-sit-ik]
- of, relating to, or characteristic of parasites.
- (of diseases) due to parasites.
- Phonetics. excrescent(def 2).
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Sometimes par·a·sit·i·cal.
Origin of parasitic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for parasitical
bumming, leeching, sponging, parasitical, abject, beggarly, complacent, compliant, cringing, deferential, fawning, flattering, ingratiating, menial, obeisant, oily, prostrate, respectful, servile, slavishExamples from the Web for parasitical
Historical Examples of parasitical
That is intensely curious about the parasitical plant of Borneo.
Hortus InclususJohn Ruskin
Pope, it must be remembered, is essentially a parasitical writer.
Hours in a Library, Volume I. (of III.)Leslie Stephen
Scarcely is the sun risen when we are plagued by the parasitical and inquisitive mob.
The Sisters, CompleteGeorg Ebers
Are you not ashamed to crowd around a table, like parasitical dogs?
The King of the MountainsEdmond About
Because the mistletoe is a parasitical plant, growing upon the bark of other trees.
The Reason WhyAnonymous
Word Origin and History for parasitical
parasitic
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
parasitic
(păr′ə-sĭt′ĭk)- Of, relating to, or characteristic of a parasite.
- Caused by a parasite.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.