Dictionary (n.) Any one of several species of ticks of the genus Ixodes whose young cling to bushes, but quickly fasten themselves upon the bodies of any animal with which they come in contact. When they attach themselves to the human body they often produce troublesome sores. The common species of the Northern United States is Ixodes unipunctata.Thesaurus barnacle bedbug blackmailer extortioner extortionist freeloader hanger-on harpy leech lounge lizard moocher mosquito parasite predator profiteer racketeer raptor scrounge scrounger shakedown artist shark spiv sponge sponger sucker tick vampire vulture wood tick |