Parasitism

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈpærəsaɪˌtɪzəm/

Definitions of parasitism

noun the practice of living as a parasite in or on another organism

Example Sentences

A1 Parasitism is when one organism benefits at the expense of another.

A2 Some animals rely on parasitism to survive by feeding off of other organisms.

B1 Parasitism can have negative effects on the host organism, such as decreased fitness or health.

B2 The study of parasitism is important in understanding ecological relationships and disease transmission.

C1 Parasitism is a complex ecological phenomenon that involves a variety of interactions between species.

C2 Researchers are constantly discovering new examples of parasitism and its impact on ecosystems.

Examples of parasitism in a Sentence

formal Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of another.

informal Some people view certain business practices as a form of parasitism, where one company profits off the work of others.

slang That guy is a total parasite, always mooching off of his friends without giving anything in return.

figurative The toxic relationship between the manager and employees was described as a form of emotional parasitism, draining the morale of the entire team.

Grammatical Forms of parasitism

past tense

parasitized

plural

parasitisms

comparative

more parasitic

superlative

most parasitic

present tense

parasitizes

future tense

will parasitize

perfect tense

has parasitized

continuous tense

is parasitizing

singular

parasitism

positive degree

parasitic

infinitive

to parasitize

gerund

parasitizing

participle

parasitized

Origin and Evolution of parasitism

First Known Use: 1615 year
Language of Origin: Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'parasitism' originates from the Greek word 'parasitos', which means 'one who eats at the table of another'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'parasitism' has evolved to refer to a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits at the expense of another, typically to the detriment of the host organism.