body louse

noun

Definition of body louse

: a louse feeding primarily on the body especially : a sucking louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) feeding on the body and living in the clothing of humans

— called also cootie

Examples of body louse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Life in the Australian bush involved intimate encounters with many species, and of course head and body lice were among them. . . — Kate Darnton, BostonGlobe.com, "Why do Americans freak out over lice?," 17 Mar. 2018 Life in the Australian bush involved intimate encounters with many species, and of course head and body lice were among them. . . — Kate Darnton, BostonGlobe.com, "Why do Americans freak out over lice?," 17 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'body louse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Body louse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body%20louse. Accessed 13 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for body louse

body louse

noun

Medical Definition of body louse

: a louse feeding primarily on the body especially : a sucking louse of the genus Pediculus (P. humanus humanus synonym P. h. corporis) feeding on the human body and living in clothing

— called also cootie