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parasitica

parasitica

9.3
In a scientific name, shows a species lives on another living thing as a parasite
  • adjective
  • /ˌpærəˈsɪtɪkə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : parásita
  • The fungus named Ustilago parasitica infects certain types of grass.

Examples

  • Researchers discovered a new plant species called Loranthus parasitica in the rainforest.

  • The parasitica species thrives on its host.

  • The label on the specimen included the term parasitica to show its parasitic nature.

  • The parasitica organisms can be harmful to their hosts.

  • The fungus named Ustilago parasitica infects certain types of grass.

  • Researchers discovered a new plant species called Loranthus parasitica in the rainforest.

  • The label on the specimen included the term parasitica to show its parasitic nature.

Synonyms

parasitic
vsparasitica
  • Specialized
10 5.7

Of a living thing that lives on or in another and takes food

is used in scientific names to indicate a species living on another organism
parasitical
vsparasitica
1 7.2

Caused by tiny animals that live on another animal or person and harm them

is used in scientific names to indicate a species living on another organism

Surface Forms

parasitica positive

Morphology

parasitica = parasite (semi-transparent) = parasit + ica

The suffix '-ica' is used in scientific naming, which may not be immediately clear to all learners.

Etymology

Parasitica comes from the Greek parasitos, 'one who eats at another's table', and shares the same root as the English word parasite. In scientific names it shows the species lives on or takes food from another organism, so Ustilago parasitica is named because it is parasitic.