Word
lice
US/ˈɫaɪs/
UK/lˈaɪs/
Definition
n. tiny insects that live on the skin of animals or people, especially in hair. They are very small and can cause itching.
n. small, wingless, parasitic insects of the order Phthiraptera that live on the skin of mammals and birds. The plural form of 'louse'.
Examples
“The school sent a letter home about head lice.”
“Parents were advised to check their children's hair for lice after several cases were reported in the primary school.”
“While most species of lice are host-specific and cannot survive long away from a body, they spread rapidly through direct contact or shared personal items in crowded environments.”
Examples
simple
“The school sent a letter home about head lice.”
contextual
“Parents were advised to check their children's hair for lice after several cases were reported in the primary school.”
complex
“While most species of lice are host-specific and cannot survive long away from a body, they spread rapidly through direct contact or shared personal items in crowded environments.”
Usage
The plural form of 'louse'; takes plural verb agreement.
Pitfall
The lice is spreading
The lice are spreading
Lice is the plural form of louse and requires a plural verb.
Etymology
From Middle English lys, from Old English lȳs.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lice