1 head louse | Definition of head louse

head louse

noun

Definition of head louse

: a sucking louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) that lives on the human scalp

Examples of head louse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Transmission of head lice via secondary objects is possible, but unlikely. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Lice (and Even Super Lice) for Good," 9 May 2018 Transmission of head lice via secondary objects is possible, but unlikely. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Lice (and Even Super Lice) for Good," 9 May 2018 Ultimately, successfully treating head lice without a comb is next to impossible. Mariko Zapf, Good Housekeeping, "This 3-Step Natural Head Lice Remedy Works For My Family Every Time," 15 Aug. 2017 Transmission of head lice via secondary objects is possible, but unlikely. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Lice (and Even Super Lice) for Good," 9 May 2018 Despite decades of medical advances, head lice keep hanging on. Michael Gordon, charlotteobserver, "Nitpicking or infringement? Companies in patent fight over head lice treatment.," 22 June 2018 Transmission of head lice via secondary objects is possible, but unlikely. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Lice (and Even Super Lice) for Good," 9 May 2018 Mutations that confer protection to head lice have spread to high frequency. Karen Weintraub, Scientific American, "Revenge of the Super Lice," 1 June 2017 But whereas body lice can spread diseases, including epidemic typhus, trench fever and even the plague, head lice have never been blamed for any such outbreak. Karen Weintraub, Scientific American, "Revenge of the Super Lice," 1 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'head louse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of head louse

1547, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for head louse

head louse

noun

Medical Definition of head louse

: a sucking louse of the genus Pediculus (P. humanus capitis) that lives on the human scalp

More from Merriam-Webster on head louse

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with head louse

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about head louse