parasitic

Everyday

1. Living on or inside another living thing (the host) and taking food from it, often harming it. tree →
2. Caused by parasites: a parasitic disease. tree →
3. (about people, disapproving) Taking from others without giving anything back. tree →

In the lessons

A science word: in lessons on food chains and living things, parasitic animals and plants include fleas, ticks, head lice, tapeworms and mistletoe. In health lessons, children learn about parasitic worms and how washing hands helps. In stories it can describe a greedy, lazy character.

Examples

• Head lice are parasitic insects that live in hair. tree →
• Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on trees. tree →
• Some wasps are parasitic and lay eggs inside caterpillars. tree →
• Washing your hands helps stop parasitic worms spreading. tree →
• The vet gave the dog a tablet for parasitic worms. tree →
• The story's villain lived a parasitic life, spending other people's money. tree →

Note

From «parasite». Pronounced «pa-ra-SIT-ik». Opposite ideas: mutualism (both gain). A parasite usually does not kill its host quickly, because it needs the host to stay alive.