Obligate Parasite
/ˈɒb.lɪ.ɡeɪt ˈpæ.rə.saɪt/noun
An organism that relies entirely on a host for survival and reproduction.
Did you know?The word 'parasite' comes from Greek origins meaning 'one who eats at the table of another,' highlighting a dark history of exploitation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
παράσιτος
“A person who eats at another's table; a dependent.”
Latin
Latin
parasita
“One who eats at another's expense.”
17th Century
English
parasite
“An organism that lives in or on another organism.”
20th Century
English
obligate
“Bound or constrained to act in a certain way; in biology, referring to species that cannot survive without their host.”
Modern English
English
obligate parasite
“A type of parasite that is entirely dependent on a host for its life cycle.”