bloodsucking
|blood-suck-ing|
/ˈblʌdˌsʌkɪŋ/
(bloodsuck)
taking blood; parasitic taking
Etymology
'bloodsucking' is a compound formed in Modern English from 'blood' + present participle of 'suck', where 'blood' comes from Old English 'blōd' meaning 'blood' and 'suck' comes from Old English 'sūcan' meaning 'to suck.'
'blood-suck(ing)' developed as a compound in Middle to Modern English by combining 'blood' + 'suck' with a present participle ending to denote the action or quality; related noun forms like 'bloodsucker' also appeared as compounds.
Originally a literal description of animals or actions that take blood, the term later also gained figurative senses meaning 'exploitative' or 'predatory' when applied to people or organizations.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle/gerund of 'bloodsuck': to suck blood from an animal or person.
The vampire continued bloodsucking through the night.
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Adjective 1
feeding on blood; that takes or drinks blood (literal, of animals or parasites).
The bloodsucking mosquito landed on her arm.
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Adjective 2
exploitative or parasitic (figurative); taking advantage of others for profit or gain.
Many critics called the company's fees bloodsucking and unfair.
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Last updated: 2025/10/08 10:34