chigoe

American  

[chig-oh] / ˈtʃɪg oʊ /

noun

1. a flea, Tunga penetrans, of tropical America and Africa, the impregnated female of which embeds itself in the skin, especially of the feet, of humans and animals and becomes greatly distended with eggs.

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chigoe British  

/ ˈtʃɪɡəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: chigger.   jigger.   sand flea.  a tropical flea, Tunga penetrans, the female of which lives on or burrows into the skin of its host, which includes man

2. another name for chigger

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Etymology

Origin of chigoe

Borrowed into English from Carib around 1685–95

Example Sentences

They will not live together, but every chigoe sets up a separate ulcer, and has his own private portion of pus.

From Sydney Smith by Russell, George William Erskine

One enterprising and annoying insect, the chigoe, or "jigger," is able to bore a hole through the sole of a shoe and attack the foot.

From Little Journey to Puerto Rico For Intermediate and Upper Grades by George, Marian Minnie

Sarcopsylla, s�r-kop-sil′a, n. a genus of American insects, including the jigger or chigoe.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

"Chiggerfoot" takes its name from the chigoe, chigger, or jigger, the minute flea which burrows into the foot.

From Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Jekyll, Walter

It is like the red "chigoe" which inserts his tiny head in the flesh and burrows until he causes a throbbing fester.

From The Secret of a Happy Home (1896) by Harland, Marion