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. flea in one's ear informal.
   flea in one's ear 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

Sometimes there’s a flea infestation that’s too severe to not use the more common chemicals for.

From Popular-Science

Scientists finally identified the disease as an infectious agent that time around, caused by a bacterium and spread to humans mostly via fleas.

From Popular-Science

Spiny water fleas feed on other smaller, native water fleas, which are a vital food sources for small fish and keep algae in check.

From Popular-Science

Small fish will choke or puncture their organs if they try to consume the flea due to its long, sharp spine.

From Popular-Science

The microscopic fleas can cling to fishing lines and survive in lake water at the base of your boat.

From Popular-Science

And it all began with a young model rooting through Paris flea markets to find something that made her feel good.

From The Daily Beast

I grew up in New York and there was a Caldor that had a Sunday flea market.

From The Daily Beast

Six months after he arrived in Paris, he found another high-wheeled bicycle in a flea market and bought that too.

From The Daily Beast

A flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, from an infected little mammal—usually a rat—can hop from the dying rat onto a human and bite it.

From The Daily Beast

With its famous flea market and cute shops, Eastern Market has always been a popular stop on the weekend.

From The Daily Beast

On feeling the bite of the flea, thrust the part bitten immediately into boiling water.

From Project Gutenberg

W'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.

From Project Gutenberg

W'y, dat ar ole creetur aint never hurted a flea in all he born days—dat he aint,' sezee.

From Project Gutenberg

"I guess that's the best rabbit dog anywhere around here," he said, as a flea-bitten cur trotted past.

From Project Gutenberg

Old carpets, the sleeping places of cats or dogs or any dirty unswept corner may hold the eggs of the flea.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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