Louse

n.; pl. LIÇE. [A-S. lûs, pl. lys; O. H. Ger. lûs, pl liusi, N. H. Ger. laus, pl. läuse, Icel. lûs, Sw. lus, Dan. lus, luus, D. luis, from Goth. liusan, to destroy, devour, like Gr. φθείρ, louse, from φθείρειν, to destroy. See LOSE.] (Entom.) A wingless, hemipterous insect having a sucking mouth, and not undergoing any metamorphosis. It is found parasitic upon mammals. The common louse is the Pediculus (humanus) capitis, found in the human hair. P. tabescentium gives rise to the disease phthisiasis, or lousy disease, which is said to have occasioned death in some cases. This insect is generally indicative of an uncleanly habit of body.