Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

earth louse

noun

Definition of earth louse 

: any of numerous aphids that feed on the roots of plants

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of earth louse

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for earth louse

translation of Latin pediculus terrae

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about earth louse

Share earth louse

Statistics for earth louse

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for earth louse

The first known use of earth louse was circa 1909

See more words from the same year

Comments on earth louse

What made you want to look up earth louse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tomfoolery

playful or foolish behavior

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

  • a-top-down-image-of-road-through-an-autumn-forest
  • Which is a synonym of fugacious?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games