Associations to the word «Parasite»

Wiktionary

PARASITE, noun. (pejorative) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back. [from 16th c.]
PARASITE, noun. (biology) an organism that lives on or in another organism, deriving benefit from living on or in that other organism, while not contributing towards that other organism sufficiently to cover the cost to that other organism.
PARASITE, noun. (literary) (poetic) A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc. [from 19th c.]

Dictionary definition

PARASITE, noun. An animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host.
PARASITE, noun. A follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage.

Wise words

The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of because words diminish your feelings - words shrink things that seem timeless when they are in your head to no more than living size when they are brought out.
Stephen King