Head lice
- Pronunciation
- /HEHD LIHSS/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Head louse
- Plural
- Head lice
Definition
A wingless, six-legged bloodsucking insect that belongs to the order Phthiraptera and infests the human scalp.
Etymology
From Latin 'capitis', meaning 'head'.
Example
Head lice are a common parasite of children, especially in school settings.