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Glite Dictionary
crab louse

crab louse

9.8
A small insect that lives in pubic hair and other body hair and makes the skin itch
  • noun
  • /kræb laʊs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : piojo del pubis
  • Doctors diagnosed her with an infestation of crab louse after she experienced severe itching.

Examples

  • The crab louse is commonly transmitted through close physical contact.

  • A single crab louse can cause significant itching and discomfort in the affected area.

  • He discovered a crab louse during his examination.

  • Many people are embarrassed to talk about crab lice.

  • A single crab louse can cause significant itching and discomfort in the affected area.

  • Doctors diagnosed her with an infestation of crab louse after she experienced severe itching.

  • The crab louse is commonly transmitted through close physical contact.

Synonyms

crab
vscrab louse
  • Specialized
27 9.9

A small insect that lives on pubic hair and makes you itch

is the more technical term used for the same parasite in all hairy areas
pubic louse
vscrab louse
  • Specialized
9.1

A small insect that lives in the hair of the private parts and causes itching

is broader and infests other coarse body hair beyond the genital region
Phthirius pubis
vscrab louse
  • Specialized
9.9

A small insect that lives in pubic hair and other thick body hair on humans and causes itching

is the general small parasitic insect term causing irritation in hairy areas

Surface Forms

crab louse singular
crab lice plural

Morphology

crab + louse

The compound denotes a specific type of louse and its meaning is directly derivable from 'crab' (used here as the name for the pubic louse) + 'louse' (a parasitic insect). This is a straightforward noun–noun naming pattern without idiomatic or metaphorical shift, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The name crab louse comes from the insect's small, round body and strong front claws that look like a tiny crab, while louse means a small parasite. Because it grabs and 'clings' to body hair and causes itching, the name today means 'a small parasite that lives on body hair and causes irritation'.