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parasite
Parasite (noun) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology
IPA:
What does parasite mean?
An organism that lives in or on another organism, known as the host, and benefits at the host's expense.
"The parasite was discovered during a routine medical examination."
Detailed Meaning of Parasite
The host organism can be a plant, animal, or microorganism. Parasites can be classified as obligate or facultative, depending on whether they are dependent on the host to survive. The word comes from the Greek word "parasitos" meaning "one who eats at the table of another".
In biology, parasites can be divided into several types, such as protozoan parasites, helminth parasites, and ectoparasites. Protozoan parasites are single-celled organisms that can cause diseases such as malaria, while helminth parasites are multicellular organisms, such as worms, that can cause diseases such as river blindness and elephantiasis. Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the surface of the host, such as lice, ticks, and fleas.
In everyday use, "parasite" is also used in a figurative sense to describe a person who lives off of or benefits from the kindness, generosity, or resources of others without making a fair contribution in return. In this context, it can be used to describe people who take advantage of others without giving back, or those who are excessively dependent on others for their livelihood or wellbeing.
Example Sentences for Parasite
1. Malaria is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, acting as a parasite.
2. Ticks are ectoparasites that attach to hosts for blood meals.
3. The intestinal parasite, tapeworm, can infect humans through contaminated food.
4. Fleas are notorious parasites that infest pets and homes.
5. A parasitic wasp lays eggs inside caterpillars, serving as a deadly parasite.
6. Leeches, aquatic parasites, feed on the blood of their hosts.
Origin and Etymology of Parasite
The noun 'parasite' has its origins in ancient Greek. It is formed by combining the Greek words 'para,' which means 'beside' or 'alongside,' and 'sitos,' which means 'food' or 'grain.' The term 'parasitos' in Greek referred to someone who shared another's food or lived alongside them, often implying a dependence on the host's resources. Over time, this concept was extended to describe organisms that live off other living beings, drawing sustenance from their hosts. Thus, the etymology of 'parasite' reflects the essence of these organisms, which exist in close association with their host organisms and often exploit them for their own benefit, sometimes to the detriment of the host.
Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding
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More Usage Examples of Parasite
1. Parasitic fungi like cordyceps infect insects, controlling their behavior.
2. Some plants act as root parasites, sapping nutrients from nearby vegetation.
3. The liver fluke is a parasitic flatworm that affects livestock and humans.
4. Parasitic plants like mistletoe grow on trees, absorbing nutrients.
5. Tsetse flies transmit African sleeping sickness, caused by a parasitic protozoan.
6. The parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, causes the skin condition scabies.
7. Lampreys are jawless fish that attach to other fish as parasites.
8. Parasitic nematodes infect plants, causing crop damage.
9. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan that can harm pregnant women.
10. Botflies lay eggs on mosquitoes, using them as unwitting carriers.
11. Parasitic barnacles attach to crabs, altering their behavior and appearance.
12. Parasitic roundworms can infest the intestines of mammals.
13. The parasitic wasp species, Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga, enslaves spiders.
14. Parasitic diseases like schistosomiasis affect millions in developing countries.
15. The plant was infected with a parasite that was killing it.
16. The host animal's body was being used by the parasite for nourishment and reproduction.
17. The parasite was able to evade the host's immune system.
18. The parasite had a symbiotic relationship with the host, both benefiting from the arrangement.
19. The parasite was causing damage to the host's internal organs.
20. The host's behavior was being manipulated by the parasite.
21. The parasite's eggs were found in the host's feces.
22. The parasite was able to spread quickly due to its ability to reproduce rapidly.
23. The host's death was caused by the parasite's toxins.
24. The parasite was eliminated through medication.
25. The host's body was able to fight off the parasite through its immune response.
Synonyms and Related Words for Parasite
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✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
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✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT