Parasitic
/ˌpær.əˈsɪt.ɪk/noun
Relating to or characteristic of a parasite.
Did you know?In ancient Greece, a 'parasitos' was not just a pest; it referred to someone dining at another's expense, hinting at social manipulation and dependency.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“to line up, to join, to serve.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
παράσιτος (parásitos)
“one who eats at another's table; a guest who lives off others.”
Latin
Latin
parasitum
“a person who eats at another's expense, a parasite.”
Middle French
Old French
parasite
“a person who depends on others for sustenance.”
Early Modern English
English
parasitic
“relating to or characteristic of a parasite, figuratively applied to social behaviors.”
Modern English
English
parasitic
“describing organisms that live off others, often causing harm.”