louse Definition

any of various small wingless usually flattened insects (orders Anoplura and Mallophaga) parasitic on warm-blooded animals

a small usually sluggish arthropod (such as a biting louse) that lives on other animals or on plants and sucks their blood or juices

any of several small arthropods (such as a book louse) that are not parasitic

to remove lice from

foul up, snarl

to make a mess

biting louse

any of numerous wingless insects (order Mallophaga) that are parasitic especially on birds —called also bird louse

a louse feeding primarily on the body; especially : a sucking louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) feeding on the body and living in the clothing of humans —called also cootie

any of various tiny usually wingless insects (order Psocoptera and especially genus Liposcelis) that feed on organic matter and especially mold, usually inhabit damp areas, and are often found in stored papers, books, and grains

a sucking louse (Phthirus pubis) infesting the pubic region of the human body

a sucking louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) that lives on the human scalp