parasite

Everyday

1. A parasite is a living thing that lives on or inside another living thing and takes its food from it, often harming it: fleas, lice, ticks and tapeworms are parasites. tree →
2. A person who lives off other people and gives nothing back is called a parasite (an unkind word). tree →

In the lessons

In science the parasite and its host are a key pair: the parasite gets food or shelter, the host is harmed. In health and hygiene lessons we learn that pets need flea and worm treatment and that washing hands keeps some parasites away. Phrases: «a parasite lives on its host», «parasitic worms».

Examples

• A flea is a tiny parasite that lives on dogs and cats. tree →
• Ticks are parasites that suck blood. tree →
• The vet gave our puppy medicine against parasites. tree →
• Head lice are parasites that live in hair. tree →
• Mistletoe is a plant parasite that grows on trees. tree →
• Some parasites live inside the stomach of animals. tree →
• In the story the lazy cousin was called a parasite because he never helped. tree →

Note

Countable: parasite, parasites. The animal or plant the parasite lives on is the «host». Adjective: «parasitic». Not every small creature on an animal is a parasite: some help each other (that is called mutualism). Calling a person a parasite is rude.