English Lexicon

Parasitism

/ˈpær.əˌsaɪ.tɪ.zəm/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

    "The tapeworm exhibits parasitism by living in the intestines of its host and absorbing nutrients."
  2. 2

    The condition of being a parasite or the practice of exploiting others.

    "The parasitism observed in some social insects can lead to the decline of their host populations."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'parasitism' originates from the Greek word 'parasitos', meaning 'one who eats at another's table', which evolved through Latin into its current form. The concept has shifted over time to refer specifically to a biological relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

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