flea
nounverbverbattested in dialogue
- //ˈfliː//
- /[ˈflɪi̯]/
A small, wingless, parasitic insect of the order Siphonaptera, renowned for its bloodsucking habits and jumping abilities.
noun
- 1
A small, wingless, parasitic insect of the order Siphonaptera, renowned for its bloodsucking habits and jumping abilities.
- 2
A thing of no significance.
The nation of beggars on horseback which first colonized California has left behind it many traditions unworthy of conservation, and multitudinous fleas not at all traditional, but even less keepworthy […]
Etymology
From Middle English fle, from Old English flēah, flēa, from Proto-West Germanic *flauh, from Proto-Germanic *flauhaz (compare West Frisian flie, Low German Flo, Flö, Dutch vlo, German Floh, Icelandic fló), from pre-Germanic *plóukos, *plówkos, from or akin to Proto-Indo-European *plus- (compare Latin pulex, Sanskrit प्लुषि (plúṣi)). The archaic plural fleen is from Middle English fleen, flen, from Old English flēan (“fleas”).
verb
- 1
To remove fleas from (an animal).
I have seen a Lubra, or native woman, suckling two puppies; and, like monkeys, these ladies have a particular fancy for fleaing their dogs.
verb
- 1
Variant of flayobsoleteObsolete spelling of flay.
[…] he'd flea me alive like another St Bartholomew.
In this Thwackum had the advantage; for while Square could only scarify the poor lad's reputation, he could flea his skin […]
Etymology
Alternative forms.
Forms
- plural
- fleas, fleen
- past tense
- fleaed, flead
- past participle
- fleaed, flead
- present participle
- fleaing
- third person singular
- fleas
flea · A small, wingless, parasitic insect of the order Siphonaptera, renowned for its bloodsucking habits and jumping abilities.
flee · To run away; to escape.fleece · Hair or wool of a sheep or similar animal.fleeing · The act of one who flees.