/ laʊs; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
( pl. lice / laɪs; NAmE /) a small insect that lives on the bodies of humans and animals :
head lice
—see also woodlouse
2.
( pl. louses ) ( informal , disapproving ) a very unpleasant person
■ verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- louse sth up
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English lūs , (plural) lӯs , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch luis , German Laus .