leech

¹leech

noun \ˈlēch\

Definition of LEECH

1

archaic : physician, surgeon

2

[from its former use by physicians for bleeding patients] : any of numerous carnivorous or bloodsucking usually freshwater annelid worms (class Hirudinea) that have typically a flattened lanceolate segmented body with a sucker at each end

3

: a hanger-on who seeks advantage or gain

— leech·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of LEECH

Middle English leche, from Old English lǣce; akin to Old High German lāhhi physician

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms

anemone, cephalopod, quahog

Rhymes with LEECH

beach, beech, bleach, breach, breech, each, leach, peach, pleach, preach, reach, screech, speech, teach