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Parasite, "any organism living on or in another living organism, and obtaining part or all of its nutrients from the host without contributing anything to the host. In most cases, parasites damage the host or cause disease. Parasites that live on the surface of the host are known as ectoparasites. Those that live within the body are known as endoparasites. Permanent parasites pass most of their life cycle in or on a host; temporary parasites spend some time in or on a host but are otherwise free-living." Encarta®