Definition of louse
1 plural liceplay \ˈlīs\ a : any of various small wingless usually flattened insects (orders Anoplura and Mallophaga) parasitic (see parasite 2) on warm-blooded animalsb : a small usually sluggish arthropod (such as a biting louse) that lives on other animals or on plants and sucks their blood or juicesc : any of several small arthropods (such as a book louse) that are not parasitic
2 plural lousesplay \ˈlau̇-səz\ : a contemptible person : heel what a beast, what a cad, what a louse he had been — Walter Karig
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Examples of louse in a Sentence
a problem with head lice
Her ex-husband is a real louse.
Origin and Etymology of louse
Middle English lous, from Old English lūs; akin to Old High German lūs louse, Welsh llau lice
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Invertebrates (Except Insects) Terms
Definition of louse
loused
;lousing
transitive verb
: to remove lice from
Origin and Etymology of louse
see 1louse
First Known Use: 14th century
LOUSE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of louse for English Language Learners
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: a type of small insect that lives on the bodies of people or animals
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: a bad or cruel person
LOUSE Defined for Kids
louse
playDefinition of louse for Students
lice
\ˈlīs\1 : a small, wingless, and usually flat insect that lives on the bodies of warm-blooded animals
2 : an insect or related arthropod that resembles a body louse and feeds on plant juices or decaying matter
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about louse
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See words that rhyme with louse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for louse Spanish Central: Translation of louse Nglish: Translation of louse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of louse for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about louse
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