parasitical

2 definitions found

parasitical - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Parasitic \Par`a*sit"ic\ (p[a^]r`[.a]*s[i^]t"[i^]k), Parasitical
  \Par`a*sit"ic*al\ (p[a^]r`[.a]*s[i^]t"[i^]*kal), a. [L.
     parasiticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. parasitique.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Of the nature of a parasite; having the habits of a
        parasite; fawning for food or favors; sycophantic.
        "Parasitic preachers." --Milton.
  
     Syn: leechlike, bloodsucking.
          [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot. & Zool.) Of or pertaining to parasites; living on,
        or deriving nourishment from, some other living animal or
        plant. See Parasite, 2 & 3.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Parasitic gull, Parasitic jager. (Zool.) See Jager.
        [1913 Webster] -- Par`a*sit"ic*al*ly, adv. --
        Par`a*sit"ic*al*ness, n.
        [1913 Webster]

parasitical - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  parasitical
      adj 1: relating to or caused by parasites; "parasitic infection"
             [syn: parasitic, parasitical]
      2: of plants or persons; having the nature or habits of a
         parasite or leech; living off another; "a wealthy class
         parasitic upon the labor of the masses"; "parasitic vines
         that strangle the trees"; "bloodsucking blackmailer"; "his
         indolent leechlike existence" [syn: parasitic,
         parasitical, leechlike, bloodsucking]