louse Hear it!

louse definition

louse (lo̵us; for v., also lo̵uz)

noun pl. lice

    1. any of an order (Anoplura) of small, flat, wingless insects with sucking mouthparts, parasitic on the skin or hair of humans and some other mammals; esp., the human body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis) and head louse (P. h. capitis)
    2. any of various arthropods that suck blood or juice from other animals or plants
  2. bird louse
  3. any of various other small insects, arachnids, and crustaceans that are not parasitic, as the book louse or wood louse
  4. Slang a person regarded as mean, contemptible, etc.

Etymology: ME lous < OE lus (pl. lys), akin to Ger laus < IE *lūs > Welsh lleuen, Bret laouen

transitive verb loused, lousing lous′·ing

Rare to delouse
louse Idioms

louse up

☆
Slang to botch; spoil; ruin

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