Parasite vs. Bacteria — What's the Difference?

(Biology) An organism that lives and feeds on or in an organism of a different species and causes harm to its host.

Bacteria ( (listen); common noun bacteria, singular bacterium) are a type of biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms.

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

Plural of bacterium.

One who lives off and flatters the rich; a sycophant.

(US) A type, species, or strain of bacterium.

A professional dinner guest, especially in ancient Greece.

Alternative form of bacterium.

(pejorative) A person who lives on other people's efforts or expense and gives little or nothing back.

Lowlife, slob (could be treated as plural or singular).

(pejorative) A sycophant or hanger-on.

An oval bacterium, as distinguished from a spherical coccus or rod-shaped bacillus.

(biology) An organism that lives on or in another organism of a different species, 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.

See Bacterium.

A climbing plant which is supported by a wall, trellis etc.

(microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered plants

(historical) A retainer or companion of an ancient Celtic warrior, who praised him in song or poetry at gatherings; a bard.

(aviation) A component of a composite aircraft which is carried aloft and air-launched by a larger carrier aircraft or mother ship to support the primary mission of the carrier.

One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at another's expense, and earns his welcome by flattery; a hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant.

A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other plants to which it attaches itself, and whose juices it absorbs; - sometimes, but erroneously, called epiphyte.

An animal which lives during the whole or part of its existence on or in the body of some other animal, feeding upon its food, blood, or tissues, as lice, tapeworms, etc.

An animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); the parasite obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host

A follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage