1. n.1 the egg or young form of a louse or other parasitic insect esp. of human head-lice or body-lice.
2 Brit. sl. a stupid person.
Phrases and idioms:
nit-pick colloq. indulge in nit-picking. nit-picker colloq. a person who nit-picks. nit-picking n. & adj. colloq. fault-finding in a petty manner.
Etymology: OE hnitu f. WG 2. int. Austral. sl. used as a warning that someone is approaching.
Phrases and idioms:
keep nit keep watch; act as guard.
Etymology: 19th c.: orig. unkn.: cf. NIX(3)