Definition of parasitic

parasiticadjective

ký sinh

/ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk//ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk/

The word "parasitic" has its roots in Greek. The Greek word "parasitos" (παρασιτος) means "one who eats at table with another," and was often used to describe a person who was a guest or a boarder in someone's home. In a broader sense, it referred to someone who was dependent on others for support or sustenance. In the 17th century, the word "parasitic" was borrowed into Latin as "parasiticus," which referred to something that was dependent or parasitic. The term was later adopted into English in the 17th century to describe plants, animals, or organisms that live off another organism for food or shelter, rather than producing their own food. In modern English, the word "parasitic" is commonly used to describe a wide range of phenomena, from organisms that live on or in other organisms, to behaviors or relationships that are exploitative or dependent on others.

namespace

caused by a parasite

gây ra bởi một loại ký sinh trùng

Example:
  • a parasitic disease/infection

    một căn bệnh ký sinh trùng/nhiễm trùng

living on another animal or plant and getting its food from it

sống nhờ vào động vật hoặc thực vật khác và lấy thức ăn từ nó

Example:
  • a parasitic mite

    một con ve ký sinh

always relying on or benefiting from other people and giving nothing back

luôn dựa dẫm hoặc hưởng lợi từ người khác và không đền đáp lại

Example:
  • She lives a parasitic existence, constantly borrowing money from her friends.

    Cô ấy sống một cuộc sống ký sinh, liên tục vay tiền bạn bè.

Related words and phrases