leech /ˈliːt͡ʃ/noun 7verb 3forms 3 noun7 •A typically aquatic blood-sucking annelid of the subclass Hirudinea, especially Hirudo medicinalis.The leech on his leg had swelled to more than five inches long, puffed and swollen on his blood. — 2003 •(figurative) A person who derives advantage from others in a parasitic fashion.'Wrecked his body and his mind, no use to hisself or his family or nobody, just a leech on society'. — 2000 •The vertical edge of a square sail.To help combat these problems, almost all sailmakers trim the leeches of their headsails to a hollow or concave profile and enclose a LEECHLINE within the leech tabling. — 1984 •The aft edge of a triangular sail.Trim the leech of the jib parallel to the main by watching the slot between the mainsail and the jib. — 2004 •A healer."Leech?" "Not another doctor". — 2003 •(old-fashioned) A glass tube designed for drawing blood from damaged tissue by means of a vacuum. •(no longer used) A physician.Many skillful leeches him abide to salve his hurts. — 1590 verb3 •To apply a leech medicinally, so that it sucks blood from the patient.The poppy made him sleep and while he slept they leeched him to drain off the bad blood. — 2000 •(figurative) To drain (resources) without giving back.Bert leeched hundreds of files from the BBS, but never uploaded anything in return. •(no longer used, rare) To treat, cure or heal.Paid for leeching.. my horses very sick. — 1564 formsleeched · leeching · leeches
