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Etymology
From Middle English lous, lows, lowse, from Old English lūs, from Proto-Germanic *lūs (compare West Frisian lûs, Dutch luis, German Low German Luus, German Laus), from Proto-Indo-European *lewH- (compare Welsh llau (“lice”), Tocharian B luwo, maybe Sanskrit यूका (yūkā)).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /laʊs/
- Rhymes: -aʊs
Noun
louse (plural lice or louses)
- A small parasitic wingless insect of the order Psocodea.
- (colloquial, dated, not usually used in plural form) A contemptible person; one who is deceitful or causes harm.
Usage notes
- When used as a term of abuse, the plural is typically louses, though lice is also possible.
Synonyms
- (insect): (North America) cootie
- (contemptible person): maggot, worm
