body louse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Medical, Informal (when used metaphorically)
Quick answer
What does “body louse” mean?
A parasitic insect (Pediculus humanus humanus) that lives on human skin and clothing, feeding on blood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A parasitic insect (Pediculus humanus humanus) that lives on human skin and clothing, feeding on blood.
A person who is a persistent nuisance or parasite; someone who exploits others without giving anything in return.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same compound noun.
Connotations
Identical literal meaning. The metaphorical use is equally pejorative in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily appearing in medical/entomological contexts or as a strong insult.
Grammar
How to Use “body louse” in a Sentence
[subject] has a body louse infestation.The [noun] was transmitted by the body louse.They treated him for body louse.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body louse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The homeless shelter worked to delouse individuals who were body loused.
American English
- The camp nurse had to de-louse several kids who were body loused.
adjective
British English
- The body-louse infestation required immediate treatment.
American English
- They implemented body-louse control measures in the barracks.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically for a draining colleague or client: 'That client is a financial body louse.'
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and historical (e.g., epidemiology) texts discussing parasites and disease vectors.
Everyday
Very rare in literal sense. The metaphorical insult is understood but strong and uncommon.
Technical
Standard term in entomology, parasitology, and public health for Pediculus humanus humanus.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “body louse”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “body louse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body louse”
- Misspelling as 'body loose'.
- Using it as a general term for any louse (it is a specific type).
- Incorrect plural: 'body louses' (correct: 'body lice').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different subspecies. Body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus) are larger, live in clothing, and are more associated with disease transmission. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) live on the scalp.
Not standardly. The verb 'to louse' exists but is rare. One might say 'to be lousy with lice' or use the phrase metaphorically ('he louses up everything'), but 'to body louse' is not an established verb.
It is a strong, vivid, but relatively uncommon insult. Terms like 'parasite', 'leech', or 'mooch' are more frequent in everyday speech.
The plural is 'body lice', following the irregular plural of 'louse' (lice).
A parasitic insect (Pediculus humanus humanus) that lives on human skin and clothing, feeding on blood.
Body louse is usually technical, medical, informal (when used metaphorically) in register.
Body louse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi laʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi laʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] He's a real body louse, always borrowing money and never paying it back.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOUSE that lives on your BODY, not just your head. It's a BODY-specific LOUSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A PARASITE / EXPLOITATION IS PARASITISM.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary habitat of the body louse?