chigger

noun

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chig·ger | \ ˈchi-gər

, ˈji-

Definition of chigger

1 : chigoe sense 1

2 [alteration of jigger entry 3] : a six-legged usually red or orange mite larva (family Trombiculidae) that feeds on skin cells and causes intensely itchy reddish welts also : the adult mite of this larva

Examples of chigger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Chig, short for chigger, was a nickname given by teammates when Martin started playing sports. — Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 9 Jan. 2022 Larson said the welts caused by these itch mites distinguish themselves with a white pimple in the center of the bite, whereas chigger bites either remain red or sink in the center. — Sylvia Goodman, The Courier-Journal, 13 Aug. 2021 The bite of a mite creates a red welt that looks like a chigger bite, typically on the upper body, and will develop a large red circle around it, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health Prevention and Control. — Steven Vargas, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2021 Instead, chiggers pierce the skin and inject saliva into the bite, which contains a powerful digestive enzyme that essentially breaks down the affected skin, so the chigger can feed on it. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, 5 Aug. 2020 Fortunately, chigger bites don't pose a huge health risk, and the main concern is simply getting the inflammation and itching under control. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, 5 Aug. 2020 Yet another type of typhus is known as scrub typhus, and is spread through chiggers or larval mites—but scrub typhus typically only occurs in rural areas of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia. — Sarah Klein, Health.com, 31 Oct. 2019 Concentrate chemical insecticidal treatments on grassy areas, low bushes, near doghouses, and other potential chigger populations. — Sallie Lee, AL.com, 5 June 2017 The South, like chiggers and divinity candy, is everlasting. — Southern Living, 1 May 2017 See More

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

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Cite this Entry

“Chigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chigger. Accessed 13 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for chigger

chigger

noun

chig·ger | \ ˈchi-gər

Kids Definition of chigger

: the six-legged larva of a mite that clings to the skin and causes itching

chigger

noun

chig·ger | \ ˈchig-ər

, ˈjig-

Medical Definition of chigger

1 : chigoe sense 1

2 : a six-legged, usually red or orange, mite larva of the family Trombiculidae that feeds on skin cells and causes intensely itchy, reddish welts also : the adult mite of this larva

— called also chigoe, harvest mite, jigger, red bug