See Also: leech(dictionary)
leech(encyclopedia)
leech(dictionary)
leech(4)(dictionary)
leech(3)(dictionary)
leech(2)(dictionary)
leech(1)(dictionary)
Leech(medicine)
Leech lattice(dictionary)
horse-leech(medicine)

leech(2) (iou)



leech noun2.

Any annelid worm of the class Hirudinea, comprising forms with a sucker at each end; esp. one that sucks blood, as Hirudo medicinalis, formerly used for drawing blood. OE.
horseleech, land leech, medicinal leech, sea leech, water leech, etc.
fig. A rapacious exploitative person. (See note below.) L18.
Phrases: like a leech persistently.
Comb.: leech-extract an anticoagulant extract prepared from leeches, containing hirudin; leech-glass Medicine a glass tube to hold a leech when applying it to a particular spot.
? The parallel fig. use of horseleech is recorded M16.
leechlike adjective resembling (that of) a leech L17.