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flea

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

flea

Main Entry:: flea
Pronunciation:: \ˈflē\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea
Date:: before 12th century

: any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals

— flea in one's ear

: rebuke <sent him away with a flea in his ear>

[flea illustration]

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