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Added 9 October 2026

leech

/ˈliːt͡ʃ/ noun

In Latin: hirūdō, sanguisūga Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about leech at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end.
A follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage.

verb

Draw blood.
In the old days, doctors routinely bled patients as part of the treatment

Origin

From Middle English leche (“blood-sucking worm”), from Old English lǣċe (“blood-sucking worm”), akin to Middle Dutch lāke ("blood-sucking worm"; > modern Dutch laak).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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