sucking louse

noun

: any of an order (Anoplura) of wingless insects comprising the true lice with mouthparts adapted to sucking body fluids

Examples of sucking louse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only one animal parasite, the pygmy hog-sucking louse, is currently included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, and none are included on the U.S. Endangered Species List. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2022

When the pygmy hog-sucking louse slides toward extinction, who but the pygmy hog cares? —Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2021

The blood-sucking louses usually make their way from head to head, leaving children (and occasionally their caregivers), scratching, itching, and generally uncomfortable with idea of teeny-tiny parasites crawling all over their scalps. —Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 9 May 2018

The blood-sucking louses usually make their way from head to head, leaving children (and occasionally their caregivers), scratching, itching and generally uncomfortable with idea of teeny-tiny parasites crawling all over their scalps. —Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 17 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1907, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sucking louse

noun

suck·​ing louse

: any of an order of wingless insects that include the true lice and have mouthparts used for sucking body fluids

Medical Definition

sucking louse

noun

: any of an order (Anoplura) of wingless insects comprising the true lice with mouthparts adapted for sucking body fluids