https://www.posetteforever.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1213&p=27904#p27904
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dphoadley2
Tuesday, 03 January 2006, 05:20 PM


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Leech:
A noun: 
1. Carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end.

2. A follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage.

Is synonynous to the following: 
   bleed
   bloodsucker
   hirudinean
   parasite
   phlebotomise (Brit.: to draw blood)
   phlebotomize (American: same as above)
   sponge
   sponger

Now everybody knows what a leech is.  
P.S. Is also an archaic term for physician or doctor.  This was derived from the practice of drawing blood from the patient in order to improve his circulation.  It was also relied on as a 'catch all' treatment for just about any malady immaginable.