An endoparasite is a parasite that lives inside the body. A parasite is any organism that lives in or on another living being, gains an advantage by doing so, but causes disadvantage to the being it is living on. An example of an endoparasite is a tapeworm. Unlike endoparasites, ectoparasites are parasites that live on the surface of the body. Endoparasite comes from the Greek word "endon" meaning "within," and the Greek word "parasitos" meaning "guest." Put the words together and you have "inside guest."

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