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wood louse

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noun Zoology.

any of certain small, terrestrial crustaceans of the genera Oniscus, Armadillidium, etc., having a flattened, elliptical body.

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Nearby words

Origin of wood louse

First recorded in 1605–15

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for wood louse

Many of these Crustaceans could roll themselves into balls, like the wood-louse (Figs. 23 and 25).
The World Before the Deluge|Louis Figuier
He picked up a wood-louse that was creeping along a piece of bark: "What is the difference between Caesar and this?"
The Mysterious Stranger and Other Stories|Mark Twain
Finally they came across the wood-louse, whom they found mentioned in the letter as "maid-servant."
Italian Popular Tales|Thomas Frederick Crane
The following is taken from his description: The caterpillar is shaped like a wood-louse, hairy, and pale green.
New Zealand Moths and Butterflies|G. V. Hudson

There was once a wood-louse, who, being dissatisfied with his position, called himself a Pterygobranchiate.
The Hypocrite|Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull