head louse

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A parasitic insect, Pediculus humanus capitis, which lives among the hairs on the head of a human and feeds on blood.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-head louse.wav

Word forms

head louse head lice headlouse

Etymology

From head + louse. Compare North Frisian hoodlüs (“headlouse”), Dutch hoofdluis (“headlouse”), Swedish huvudlus (“headlouse”), Icelandic höfuðlús (“headlouse”).

Related words

nit
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