Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pediculosis capitis

pediculosis capitis

6.8
A condition where tiny lice live on the scalp and hair
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛdɪˈkjuːloʊsɪs ˈkæpɪtɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pediculosis capitis
  • The doctor diagnosed her with pediculosis capitis after examining her scalp.

Examples

  • The school nurse confirmed that the child had pediculosis capitis after a careful examination.

  • Several students were treated for pediculosis capitis during the recent outbreak at the primary school.

  • Proper hygiene and regular hair checks can help prevent pediculosis capitis among children.

  • Many children suffer from pediculosis capitis during the school year.

  • The school nurse confirmed that the child had pediculosis capitis after a careful examination.

  • Several students were treated for pediculosis capitis during the recent outbreak at the primary school.

  • Proper hygiene and regular hair checks can help prevent pediculosis capitis among children.

Synonyms

head lice
vspediculosis capitis
6 2.5

Small insects that live in hair and make the head itchy

describes the scalp infestation caused by those parasitic insects

Surface Forms

pediculosis capitis singular
pediculosis capitis plural

Morphology

pediculosis + capitis

This is a compositional medical Latin binomial: 'pediculosis' means infestation by lice and 'capitis' is the Latin genitive 'of the head', so together they literally mean infestation of the head/scalp. Therefore, if a learner knows the two constituent meanings the overall meaning is directly derivable, making the expression transparent (although the Latin form is specialized and uncommon at B1).

Etymology

Pediculosis capitis is a medical name from old Latin words: pediculosis comes from 'pediculus' meaning 'louse', a small insect, and capitis means 'of the head'. It literally pictures 'lice on the head', so today it is used to mean an infestation of head lice.