flea
any of numerous small, wingless bloodsucking insects of the order Siphonaptera, parasitic upon mammals and birds and noted for their ability to leap.
either of two common fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides, the very small, black C. felis(cat flea ) or the similar but larger C. canis(dog flea ), both of which infest cats, dogs, and occasionally humans.
any of various small beetles and crustaceans that leap like a flea or swim in a jumpy manner, as the water flea and beach flea.
Idioms about flea
flea in one's ear,
a disconcerting rebuke or rebuff: The next time he shows his face around here he'll get a flea in his ear.
a broad hint.
Origin of flea
1Words that may be confused with flea
- flea , flee
Words Nearby flea
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use flea in a sentence
Sometimes there’s a flea infestation that’s too severe to not use the more common chemicals for.
How to lower your dog or cat’s carbon pawprint | Sara Kiley Watson | July 29, 2021 | Popular-ScienceScientists finally identified the disease as an infectious agent that time around, caused by a bacterium and spread to humans mostly via fleas.
Spiny water fleas feed on other smaller, native water fleas, which are a vital food sources for small fish and keep algae in check.
A spiky flea could ruin Midwestern ecosystems and kill native fish | By Abi Cole/Outdoor Life | February 17, 2021 | Popular-ScienceSmall fish will choke or puncture their organs if they try to consume the flea due to its long, sharp spine.
A spiky flea could ruin Midwestern ecosystems and kill native fish | By Abi Cole/Outdoor Life | February 17, 2021 | Popular-ScienceThe microscopic fleas can cling to fishing lines and survive in lake water at the base of your boat.
A spiky flea could ruin Midwestern ecosystems and kill native fish | By Abi Cole/Outdoor Life | February 17, 2021 | Popular-Science
And it all began with a young model rooting through Paris flea markets to find something that made her feel good.
Tatiana Sorokko Is the Queen of Vintage Couture | Anthony Haden-Guest | October 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI grew up in New York and there was a Caldor that had a Sunday flea market.
Six months after he arrived in Paris, he found another high-wheeled bicycle in a flea market and bought that too.
Pryor Dodge's Two-Wheeled Obsession Is Now a Museum of Bike History | Anthony Haden-Guest | September 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, from an infected little mammal—usually a rat—can hop from the dying rat onto a human and bite it.
It’s Not Time to Worry About China’s Plague Just Yet | Kent Sepkowitz | July 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWith its famous flea market and cute shops, Eastern Market has always been a popular stop on the weekend.
A Local’s Guide to D.C. During the Holidays | William O’Connor | December 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTOn feeling the bite of the flea, thrust the part bitten immediately into boiling water.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousW'en Brer Rabbit year 'im comin' he bounce 'roun' in dar same ez a flea in a piller-case, but 't aint do no good.
Nights With Uncle Remus | Joel Chandler HarrisW'y, dat ar ole creetur aint never hurted a flea in all he born days—dat he aint,' sezee.
Nights With Uncle Remus | Joel Chandler Harris"I guess that's the best rabbit dog anywhere around here," he said, as a flea-bitten cur trotted past.
A Yankee from the West | Opie ReadOld carpets, the sleeping places of cats or dogs or any dirty unswept corner may hold the eggs of the flea.
A Civic Biology | George William Hunter
British Dictionary definitions for flea
/ (fliː) /
any small wingless parasitic blood-sucking insect of the order Siphonaptera, living on the skin of mammals and birds and noted for its power of leaping
any of various invertebrates that resemble fleas, such as the water flea and flea beetle
flea in one's ear informal a sharp rebuke
Origin of flea
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with flea
In addition to the idioms beginning with flea
- flea in one's ear, a
- flea market
also see:
- hurt a fly (flea)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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