parásito

parasite

noun pah-RAH-see-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin parasitus, from Greek parasitos (one who eats at another's table).

Also means

freeloader

Usage Note

Parásito refers to a biological organism that lives off a host (huésped), but it is also used figuratively — and somewhat pejoratively — for a person who lives at others' expense without contributing. The feminine form parásita exists but parásito is used for both genders in most contexts. The related adjective parasitario ('parasitic') is used in scientific writing.

Examples

"El parásito se alimenta del organismo huésped."

Natural Translation

The parasite feeds on the host organism.

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