n.
(pl. lice)
a small wingless parasitic insect which infests human skin and hair.
[Pediculus humanus (see body louse, head louse).]
▸a related insect which lives on the skin of mammals or birds.
[Orders Anoplura (sucking lice) and Mallophaga (biting lice).]
▸used in names of small invertebrates that parasitize aquatic animals or infest plants, e.g. fish louse.
(pl. louses)
informal a contemptible person.
v.
-
(louse something up)
informal spoil something.
- archaic remove lice from.
Etymology
OE lūs, (pl.) lȳs, of Gmc origin.