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definitions

parasitic

[par-uh-sit-ik]
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adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of parasites.
(of diseases) due to parasites.
Phonetics. excrescent(def 2).
Sometimes par·a·sit·i·cal.

Origin of parasitic

1620–30; < Latin parasīticus < Greek parasītikós. See parasite, -ic
Related formspar·a·sit·i·cal·ly, adverbpar·a·sit·i·cal·ness, nounan·ti·par·a·sit·ic, noun, adjectivean·ti·par·a·sit·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·par·a·sit·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·par·a·sit·ic, adjectivenon·par·a·sit·i·cal, adjectivenon·par·a·sit·i·cal·ly, adverbpseu·do·par·a·sit·ic, adjectiveun·par·a·sit·ic, adjectiveun·par·a·sit·i·cal, adjectiveun·par·a·sit·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for parasitically

Contemporary Examples of parasitically

  • Work of Art is the new Anti-Aesthetic to the self-obsessed and parasitically over-professionalized Art World.

    The Daily Beast logo
    Picking the Next Picasso

    Richard Phillips

    July 8, 2010

Historical Examples of parasitically

Word Origin and History for parasitically

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
parasitically in Medicine

parasitic

[păr′ə-sĭt′ĭk]

adj.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a parasite.
Caused by a parasite.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.