parasitic

Sometimes par·a·sit·i·cal

[par-uh-sit-ik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of parasites.

2. (of diseases) due to parasites.

3. Phonetics.,  excrescent.

Other Word Forms

• parasitically adverb
• parasiticalness noun
• antiparasitic noun
• antiparasitical adjective
• antiparasitically adverb
• nonparasitic adjective
• nonparasitical adjective
• nonparasitically adverb
• pseudoparasitic adjective
• unparasitic adjective
• unparasitical adjective
• unparasitically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of parasitic¹

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

Example Sentences

Indian doctors have successfully removed "parasitic twins" - two foetuses that were growing inside the abdomen of a 20-day-old baby.

From BBC

NWS myiasis is a parasitic infestation of fly larvae, or maggots, caused by parasitic flies.

From BBC

The hacks “are parasitic in nature,” the complaint said, alleging violations of the game’s terms of service, copyright law and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

From Los Angeles Times

Tens of thousands of visitors due to attend a UK-wide open farm day this weekend have been warned about a parasitic infection that causes serious gastrointestinal illness.

From BBC

In a February interview, he called the South African tech mogul a “parasitic illegal immigrant.”

From Salon