transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈper-ə-ˌsīt, ˈpa-rə- ]
noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin parasitus, from Greek parasitos, from para- + sitos grain, food
Date: 1539
1. : a person who exploits the hospitality of the rich and earns welcome by flattery
2. : an organism living in, with, or on another organism in parasitism
3. : something that resembles a biological parasite in dependence on something else for existence or support without making a useful or adequate return
• par·a·sit·ic ˌper-ə-ˈsi-tik, ˌpa-rə- also par·a·sit·i·cal -ti-kəl adjective
• par·a·sit·i·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē adverb
Synonyms:
parasite , sycophant , toady , leech , sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker. parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society
a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites
sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation
a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants
toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker
cultivated leaders of society and became their toady
leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage
a leech living off his family and friends
sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger
a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout