parasite

Noun

An organism living in or on another, benefiting at its expense.
an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage
An organism that lives on or in another organism of a different species, deriving benefit from living on or in that other organism, while not contributing towards that other organism sufficiently to cover the cost to that other organism.
An organism that lives on or in another organism of a different species, deriving benefit from living on or in that other organism, while not contributing towards that other organism sufficiently to cover the cost to that other organism.
An internal parasite that is an animal or protist.
A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.
A sycophant or hanger-on.
A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.
A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.
A component of a composite aircraft which is carried aloft and air-launched by a larger carrier aircraft or mother ship to support the primary mission of the carrier; a parasite aircraft.
An isolated (FSDU) (freestanding display unit )

Verb

To parasitize.

Examples

His opponent’s ’ZA’ play was a parasite, attaching to his carefully built word.
Lice, fleas, ticks, and mites are widely spread parasites.
parasite display
parasite stand
parasite unit

Origin / Etymology

From Middle French parasite, from Latin parasitus, from Ancient Greek παράσιτος (parásitos, “person who eats at the table of another”), from noun use of adjective meaning "feeding beside", from παρά (pará, “beside”) + σῖτος (sîtos, “food”).

Synonyms

leech, sponge, sponger, bloodsucker, bummer, free rider, freeloader, gadfly, mooch, moocher, parasite, scrounge, scrounger, scunge, smell-feast, sucker, trencher mate

Antonyms

host, commensal, mutualist, sometimes symbiote

Scrabble Score: 10

parasite: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
parasite: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
parasite: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

parasite: valid Words With Friends Word