/par"euh suy tiz'euhm, -si-/ , n.
1. Biol. a relation between organisms in which one lives as a parasite on another.
2. a parasitic mode of life or existence.
3. Pathol. a diseased condition due to parasites.
4. (in some totalitarian countries)
a. unemployment or refusal to work.
b. employment in work considered nonessential by the state.
[ 1605-15; PARASITE + -ISM ]