parasitic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective relating to or caused by parasites
    parasitical.
    • parasitic infection
  2. adjective of or pertaining to epenthesis
    epenthetic.
  3. adjective satellite of plants or persons; having the nature or habits of a parasite or leech; living off another
    parasitical; bloodsucking; leechlike.
    • a wealthy class parasitic upon the labor of the masses
    • parasitic vines that strangle the trees
    • bloodsucking blackmailer
    • his indolent leechlike existence

WordNet

Par`a*sit"ic, Par`a*sit"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Parasitic
  • Parasitical
)
Etymology
L. parasiticus, Gr. : cf. F. parasitique.
Definitions
  1. Of the nature of a parasite; fawning for food or favors; sycophantic. "Parasitic preachers." Milton.
  2. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to parasites; living on, or deriving nourishment from, some other living animal or plant. See Parasite, 2 & 3. -- Par`a*sit"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Par`a*sit"ic*al*ness, n.

Webster 1913