
parasite
词源
源自希腊语 'parasitos'(para-旁 + sitos食物),原指古代希腊在神庙中吃免费食物的人。
noun
❶ 寄生虫,指依附于其他生物体并从中获取营养的生物,通常对宿主有害。
“The tapeworm is a common parasite found in the intestines of some animals.”
(绦虫是一种常见寄生虫,存在于某些动物的肠道中。)
“The plant was weakened by a parasite that fed on its roots.”
(这株植物因根部被寄生虫啃食而变得虚弱。)
❶ 比喻依赖他人生活而不付出努力的人,常带有贬义。
“He's just a parasite, living off his parents' money without getting a job.”
(他完全是个寄生虫,靠父母的钱生活而不找工作。)
“She called her lazy roommate a parasite for never contributing to household chores.”
(她称懒惰的室友为寄生虫,因为对方从不做家务。)
常见短语
social parasite — 社会寄生虫,指不劳而获、依赖社会资源生活的人。
“The politician accused tax evaders of being social parasites.”
(政客指责逃税者是社会寄生虫。)
parasitic relationship — 寄生关系,指一方受益而另一方受损的共生关系。
“The mistletoe has a parasitic relationship with the oak tree.”
(槲寄生与橡树之间存在寄生关系。)