parasitic

[ par-uh-sit-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of parasites.
2. (of diseases) due to parasites.
3. Phonetics. excrescent ( def 2 ).

Other Words From

• para·siti·cal·ly adverb
• para·siti·cal·ness noun
• anti·para·sitic noun adjective
• anti·para·siti·cal adjective
• anti·para·siti·cal·ly adverb
• nonpar·a·sitic adjective
• nonpar·a·siti·cal adjective
• nonpar·a·siti·cal·ly adverb
• pseudo·para·sitic adjective
• unpar·a·sitic adjective
• unpar·a·siti·cal adjective
• unpar·a·siti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of parasitic¹

1620–30; < Latin parasīticus < Greek parasītikós. See parasite, -ic

Example Sentences

It's not known whether he took a dose of it when he purportedly had a parasitic worm in his brain "which ate a portion of it and then died."

From Salon

There are also long-standing concerns around parasitic sea lice and the use of chemical treatments in open waters.

From BBC

Two people in Los Angeles County are sick with a rare parasitic infection known as “raccoon roundworm,” according to officials.

From Los Angeles Times

But Theroux, while not a stranger to comedic acting, blindsides us as Lydia's parasitic boyfriend.

From Salon

Head lice, scientifically known as Pediculus humanus capitis, are tiny parasitic insects that feed on blood from the human scalp; they most frequently affect kids.

From Salon