Describing organisms that live on or in another organism (the host) and obtain nutrients at the host's expense, typically causing harm but not immediately killing the host. Parasites have evolved sophisticated strategies to exploit their hosts while ensuring their own survival.
From Greek 'parasitos,' originally meaning 'one who eats at another's table,' combining 'para' (beside) and 'sitos' (food). The biological meaning developed in the 18th century as scientists studied these dependent relationships.
Parasites are master manipulators of nature! Some can actually control their host's behavior, like the fungus that makes ants climb to high places before dying, or the parasite that makes mice less afraid of cats—all to complete their own life cycles.
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