flea

[flee]

noun

1. any of numerous small, wingless bloodsucking insects of the order Siphonaptera, parasitic upon mammals and birds and noted for their ability to leap.

2. 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.

3. 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.

flea

/ fliː /

noun

1. 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

2. any of various invertebrates that resemble fleas, such as the water flea and flea beetle

3. informal,  a sharp rebuke

Word History and Origins

Origin of flea¹

before 900; Middle English fle, Old English flēah, flēa; cognate with German Floh; akin to flee

Word History and Origins

Origin of flea¹

Old English flēah ; related to Old Norse flō , Old High German flōh

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. flea in one's ear,

   1. a disconcerting rebuke or rebuff.

      The next time he shows his face around here he'll get a flea in his ear.

   2. a broad hint.

More idioms and phrases containing flea

• hurt a fly (flea)

Example Sentences

The owner of the veterinary clinic arrived at work at 6:30 a.m. and found the dog, which was “extremely malnourished,” infested with fleas and missing a tooth, Spitzer said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She got hers from a flea market, but it has becoming ever easier to buy knockoff furniture and home goods online.

Read more on Barron's

This was the result of the Swanburne hair poultice that was applied on a regular basis, to repel lice and fleas and encourage healthy scalps, according to school policy.

Read more on Literature

At first Penelope panicked; she thought they might have somehow caught the strange moon sickness endured by Lord Fredrick Ashton, but the true explanation was simpler: The children had fleas.

Read more on Literature

For Maiava, the flea flicker was one of his few notable passes all night.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ant 
• aphid 
• bee 
• beetle 
• butterfly 
• cockroach 
• dragonfly 
• fruit fly 
• gnat 
• grasshopper 
• ladybug 
• mite 
• mosquito 
• moth 
• pest 
• spider 
• termite 
• tick