leech

• Sustantivo con dos significados principales: (1) gusano acuático o terrestre depredador o hematófago con ventosas en ambos extremos; (2) persona que explota a otros o se mantiene constantemente a su lado para beneficio o ventaja propia.

A noun with two primary meanings: (1) a carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worm with a sucker at each end; (2) a person who exploits or hangs around others for personal gain or advantage.

1. Bloodsucking wormB1formal

   A type of carnivorous or parasitic worm that lives in water or moist soil and attaches to hosts using suckers to feed on blood or tissue.

   Sanguijuela

   • The doctor applied a leech to reduce swelling after surgery.
   • Leeches were once commonly used in bloodletting practices.
   • The pond is home to many leeches that feed on fish.
   • Hikers are advised to check for leeches after walking through wetlands.

   Sinónimosbloodsucker

2. Parasitic followerB2informal

   A person who depends on or clings to someone else for personal benefit, often without giving anything in return.

   Sanguijuela (persona parásita)

   • He's nothing but a leech, always borrowing money and never paying it back.
   • She realized her so-called friend was a leech who only called when she needed something.
   • The wealthy businessman surrounded himself with leeches who flattered him for favors.
   • In the office, he was known as a leech who took credit for others' work.

   Sinónimosbloodsuckercadgerdependentfreeloaderhanger-onmoocherparasitescroungersponger

   Antónimosbenefactorcontributorgiverprovidersupporter

• Verbo que significa agotar los recursos de alguien o aferrarse a otra persona para beneficio propio, a menudo de manera parasitaria.

A verb meaning to drain resources or cling to someone for personal gain, often in a parasitic manner.

1. C1formalmedical

   To use a leech to draw blood from a person or animal, historically for medical purposes.

   sangrar con sanguijuelas

   • In medieval times, doctors would leech patients to balance humors.
   • The physician leeched the wound to remove infected blood.
   • Some modern surgeons still leech tissue to promote healing.

   Sinónimosbleed

2. Exploit or drainB2informal

   To take advantage of someone or something, often by draining resources or energy.

   Aprovecharse o agotar recursos

   • He leeched off his friends for years without contributing.
   • The company leeched the local community's resources.
   • She felt leeched of all her energy after the argument.

   Sinónimosbleeddrainexploitmilkmoochsponge

   Antónimosaidassistbenefitbestowcontributeendowgivehelpnurtureprovidesupplysupportsustain

Variantes phrasalleech onto