/ ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk; NAmE / (also less frequent para·sit·ical / ˌpærəˈsɪtɪkl; NAmE /) adjective
1.
caused by a parasite :
a parasitic disease / infection
2.
living on another animal or plant and getting its food from it :
a parasitic mite
3.
( disapproving ) ( of a person ) always relying on or benefiting from other people and giving nothing back
► para·sit·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: via Latin from Greek parasitikos , from parasitos (person) eating at another's table.