1. Wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
   "The veterinarian treated the dog for an infestation of sucking lice";
   - sucking louse
    
2. Wingless insect with mouth parts adapted for biting; mostly parasitic on birds
   "The ornithologist carefully removed bird lice from the captured specimens";
   - bird louse, biting louse
    
3. Any of several small insects especially aphids that feed by sucking the juices from plants
   "Plant lice were causing the rose leaves to curl";
   - plant louse

1. A person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect
   "Everyone in the office considered him a louse[2] after he stole credit for their project";
   - worm [informal], insect, dirt ball [informal]

Derived forms: lice, louses

Type of: disagreeable person, homopteran, homopterous insect, insect, unpleasant person

Part of: Anoplura, Mallophaga, order Anoplura, order Mallophaga

Encyclopedia: Louse