What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Parasite vs Symbiotic - What's the difference?

parasite | symbiotic |

In biology|lang=en terms the difference between parasite and symbiotic

is that parasite is (biology) an organism that lives on or in another organism, deriving benefit from living on or in that other organism, while not contributing towards that other organism sufficiently to cover the cost to that other organism while symbiotic is (biology) of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.

As nouns the difference between parasite and symbiotic

is that parasite is (pejorative) a person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back while symbiotic is (astronomy) symbiotic star.

As an adjective symbiotic is

(biology) of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.

parasite

English

(wikipedia parasite)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (pejorative) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.
  • (biology) an organism that lives on or in another organism, deriving benefit from living on or in that other organism, while not contributing towards that other organism sufficiently to cover the cost to that other organism.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-03
    • , author= , title=The Smallest Cell , volume=101, issue=2, page=83 , magazine= citation , passage=It is likely that the long evolutionary trajectory of Mycoplasma went from a reductive autotroph to oxidative heterotroph to a cell-wall–defective degenerate parasite . This evolutionary trajectory assumes the simplicity to complexity route of biogenesis, a point of view that is not universally accepted.}}
    ''Lice, fleas, ticks and mites are widely spread parasites .
  • (literary, poetic) A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.
  • * 1813 , (Percy Bysshe Shelley), Queen Mab , I:
    • Her golden tresses shade / The bosom’s stainless pride, / Curling like tendrils of the parasite / Around a marble column.

    Antonyms

    * commensal (doing no noticeable harm) * mutualist or sometimes symbiote (beneficial)

    Related terms

    * parasitise, parasitize * parasitic, parasitical * parasiticide * parasitism * parasitology * parasite drag

    See also

    * symbiont

    References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    symbiotic

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (biology) Of, or relating to symbiosis; living together.
    • A lichen is a fungus with symbiotic algae among its cells.
  • *
  • Of a relationship with mutual benefit between two individuals or organisms.

    • Usage notes

    Although the biologic meaning of symbiotic strictly refers to "living together", regardless of the nature of the relationship, in casual speech the word typically implies a beneficial relationship.

    Synonyms

    * (with mutual benefit) mutualistic

    Derived terms

    * symbiotically

    Related terms

    * symbiont * symbiote

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (astronomy) symbiotic star