Parasite vs. Saprophyte

Parasitenoun

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

Parasitenoun

(pejorative) A sycophant or hanger-on.

Parasitenoun

(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.

Parasitenoun

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

Parasitenoun

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.

Parasitenoun

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

Parasitenoun

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.

Parasitenoun

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

Parasitenoun

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

Saprophytenoun

any organism that lives on dead organic matter, as certain fungi and bacteria

Saprophytenoun

Any plant growing on decayed animal or vegetable matter, as most fungi and some flowering plants with no green color, as the Indian pipe.

Saprophytenoun

an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium