Parasitism
/ˈpær.ə.saɪ.tɪz.əm/noun
A relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek *parasitos*, literally a “beside-grain” companion at a meal, and only later became the name for organisms that live off another host.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
παράσιτος (parasitos)
“Originally a person who dined beside someone else, especially a professional dinner guest or hanger-on; later, a sponger.”
Late Latin
Latin
parasitus
“A parasite or hanger-on, borrowed from Greek.”
16th Century
English
parasite
“A person who lives on or exploits others; later also an organism living in or on a host.”
19th Century
English
parasitism
“The condition or mode of life of a parasite, especially in biology.”