The act of living on or within another organism (the host) and deriving benefit at the host's expense. This often involves acquiring nutrients, shelter, or other resources directly from the host, leading to harm or disease. parasiting can occur at various levels, from a microscopic level involving viruses and bacteria, to macroscopic levels, involving worms or larger organisms. It is a common strategy in the natural world, reflecting the diverse ways life seeks survival.
Parasiting meaning with examples
- The invasive vine was observed parasiting the old oak tree, slowly suffocating it by blocking sunlight and drawing away vital nutrients from its host. This led to a decline in the oak’s health and eventual death.
- The politician was accused of parasiting the goodwill of the public, making promises that were never intended to be kept, gaining personal advantage at the expense of the constituents' trust.
- The economic crisis revealed how some corporations were parasiting the social security system, exploiting loopholes to avoid taxes, transferring the burden onto ordinary citizens, and increasing government debt.
- The hacker was parasiting the online banking system, using malware to steal credentials, gaining access to accounts to transfer money illicitly, causing financial damage to many account holders.