■ noun
1》 ( plural lice ) a small wingless parasitic insect which infests human skin and hair. [ Pediculus humanus (see body ~ , head ~ ).]
↘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 ~ .
2》 ( plural ~s ) informal a contemptible person.
■ verb
1》 ( ~ something up ) informal spoil something.
2》 archaic remove lice from.
Origin
OE lūs , (plural) lȳs , of Gmc origin.