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Flea: meaning, definitions and examples

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flea

 

[ fliห ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

insect, pest

A flea is a small, wingless insect that belongs to the order Siphonaptera. These parasites are known for their ability to jump long distances relative to their size, often infesting the fur of animals, especially pets like dogs and cats. Fleas feed on the blood of their hosts and can cause discomfort, itching, and allergic reactions in both animals and humans. Infestations can lead to more serious health issues, such as tapeworms or anemia in severe cases. Their life cycle consists of egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, making them difficult to eradicate without proper treatment.

Synonyms

bug, parasite, pest

Examples of usage

  • The dog is scratching due to a flea infestation.
  • Fleas can jump from one pet to another very quickly.
  • We need to treat the house for fleas this spring.
  • Flea collars are commonly used to keep pets pest-free.

Translations

Translations of the word "flea" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pulga

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคฟเคธเฅเคธเฅ‚

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Floh

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kutu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะปะพั…ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pchล‚a

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒŽใƒŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท puce

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ pulga

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท bit

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฒผ๋ฃฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฑุบูˆุซ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ blecha

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ blcha

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ทณ่šค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ bolha

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ flรณ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะปะพั…ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ’แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pire

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ pulga

Etymology

The word 'flea' originates from the Old English word 'fleah', which is akin to the Old High German 'flลh' and the Latin 'flea' as well. Historically, fleas have been a concern for humans and domesticated animals due to their parasitic nature. The word has been part of the English language since at least the 8th century. Fleas are mentioned in various historical texts, and their ability to carry diseases has long been noted, making them infamous in the context of public health, especially during events like the Black Plague, where fleas served as vectors for the disease-carrying bacteria. Over centuries, the understanding of fleas as pests evolved along with advancements in pest control and veterinary medicine, leading to a variety of treatments being developed to manage flea populations in households and among pets.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,154, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.