好词典

parasite

UK //ˈpærəsaɪt//US //ˈpærəsaɪt//

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。)

同义词:leech, sponger, freeloader

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。)