body louse

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Word: Body Louse

Definition: A body louse is a small insect that lives on the body of humans. It is a type of louse that can cause itching and discomfort by feeding on human blood. Body lice are often found in clothing or on the skin, especially in areas where personal hygiene is not maintained.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "body louse" when talking about this specific type of louse that infests humans.
• It is often discussed in health or hygiene contexts.

Example Sentence:

"The group of campers learned about body lice and how to prevent infestations while living outdoors."

Advanced Usage:

• In medical or health discussions, you might hear phrases like "body louse infestation" or "treatment for body lice."
• Body lice can also be associated with conditions like "pediculosis," which is a more formal term for an infestation of lice.

Word Variants:

• "Louse" is the singular form, while "lice" is the plural.
• "Head louse" refers specifically to lice that infest the hair on the head.
• "Pubic louse" refers to lice that infest the pubic area.

Different Meanings:

• "Louse" can also be used informally in English to describe a person who is considered unpleasant or despicable. For example, "Don’t be a louse!" means "Don't be a bad person!"

Synonyms:

• Louse (general term for this type of insect)
• Parasite (a general term for an organism that lives on or in another organism and benefits at the host's expense)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "body louse," but you might encounter phrases related to cleanliness or hygiene, such as "clean as a whistle," which means very clean or free from dirt.

Summary:

A body louse is a small parasite that lives on humans, feeding on their blood and causing discomfort. It's important to maintain good hygiene to prevent infestations.

Academic

Noun

1. a parasitic louse that infests the body of human beings

Synonyms

• cootie
• Pediculus corporis