parasite

parasite definition - medical

par·a·site (părˈə-sītˌ)

noun
  1. An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.
  2. In conjoined twins, the usually incomplete twin that derives its support from the more nearly normal fetus.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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