Parasites: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฆ
parasites
[ หpรฆrษหsaษชts ]
biological organisms
Parasites are organisms that live on or in a host organism and benefit at the host's expense. They can cause diseases and malnutrition in their hosts. Some common types of parasites include protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.
Synonyms
bystander, dependant, freeloader, leech.
Examples of usage
- The doctor diagnosed the patient with a parasitic infection.
- Many animals have evolved to cope with the presence of parasites.
- Parasites can have significant impacts on agricultural productivity.
Translations
Translations of the word "parasites" in other languages:
๐ต๐น parasitas
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเคฐเคเฅเคตเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Parasiten
๐ฎ๐ฉ parasit
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐัะฐะทะธัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ pasoลผyty
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฏ็่ซ
๐ซ๐ท parasites
๐ช๐ธ parรกsitos
๐น๐ท parazitler
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ธฐ์์ถฉ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุทููููุงุช
๐จ๐ฟ paraziti
๐ธ๐ฐ parazity
๐จ๐ณ ๅฏ็่ซ
๐ธ๐ฎ paraziti
๐ฎ๐ธ snรฝkjudรฝr
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟะฐัะฐะทะธััะตั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแแแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ parazitlษr
๐ฒ๐ฝ parรกsitos
Etymology
The word 'parasite' originates from the Greek word 'parasitos', which means 'one who eats at the table of another'. This term was derived from 'para-' meaning 'beside' and 'sitos' meaning 'food'. The usage of the term evolved over centuries to refer to organisms that live on or within a host, extracting nutrients and energy without giving anything in return. Initially used in a broader context to describe someone who takes advantage of others' hospitality, the term narrowed to its modern biological context in the 19th century, reflecting increasing scientific interest in the relationships between species. Through advances in biology and medicine, the understanding of parasites and their effects on health, ecology, and economy has expanded significantly, leading to more focused research and efforts for treatment and prevention.