n.1 a small wingless jumping insect of the order Siphonaptera, feeding on human and other blood.
2 a (in full flea beetle) a small jumping beetle infesting hops, cabbages, etc. b (in full water flea) daphnia.
Phrases and idioms:
flea-bite
1. the bite of a flea.
2 a trivial injury or inconvenience.
flea-bitten
1. bitten by or infested with fleas.
2 shabby. flea-bug US FLEA 2a. flea-circus a show of performing fleas. flea-collar an insecticidal collar for pets. a flea in one's ear a sharp reproof. flea market a street market selling second-hand goods etc. flea-pit a dingy dirty place, esp. a run-down cinema. flea-wort any of several plants supposed to drive away fleas.
Etymology: OE flea, fleah f. Gmc