Louse

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /laÊŠs/
• Rhymes: -aÊŠs

Origin

From Middle English lows(e), from Old English lūs, from Proto-Germanic *lūs (cf. West Frisian lûs, Dutch luis, Low German Luus, German Laus), from Proto-Indo-European *lewH- (cf. Welsh llau ("lice"), Tocharian B luwo, maybe Sanskrit यूका).

Full definition of louse

Noun

1. A small parasitic wingless insect of the order Phthiraptera.
2. (colloquial, dated, not usually used in plural form) A contemptible person; one who has recently taken an action considered deceitful or indirectly harmful.

Synonyms

• (insect) North America cootie
• (contemptible person) maggot, worm

Derived terms

• body louse
• booklouse
• crab louse
• head louse
• louser
• lousy
• pubic louse
• sea louse
• three skips of a louse

Verb

1. To remove lice from the body of a person or animal; to delouse.

Synonyms

• delouse

Anagrams

• loues, oules, ousel, Seoul, soule