ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌsīd.ˌizəm, -īˌti-, -ə̇ˌti- noun
( -s )
1. : the act or practice of a parasite : the parasitic state or condition
abolition of parasitism and exploitation of man by man — Upton Sinclair
countries that let themselves become dependent on the labor of other countries and settle down into a comfortable and ladylike parasitism — G.B.Shaw
economic parasitism … willingness to live luxuriously at the expense of the poor — E.H.Faulkner
2.
a. : a relationship in which an organism of one kind lives in, on, or in intimate association with an organism of another kind at the expense of which it obtains food and usually other benefits (as shelter and transportation) causing some degree of overt damage but not usually killing directly and immediately — compare commensalism , helotism , parasitoidism , predatism , symbiosis
b. : a relationship that involves intimate association of organisms of two or more kinds including commensalism, symbiosis, parasitism, and parasitoidism — used especially when it is not wished or possible to specify the precise relationship
3. : parasitosis