: any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals
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Removing the debris now removes the hiding spots and egg populations for pests like aphids, flea beetles, cabbage worms, squash bugs, spider mites, thrips and many others.—Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2025 Like us, ancient people wanted fleas out of their homes, lice off their bodies, and weevils out of their grain supplies.—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 He was estimated to be around 8 to 10 years old, with a severe flea allergy (causing his hair loss), was missing several teeth and was heartworm positive.—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 Platinum plan: Same benefits as Gold, plus spaying/neutering, urinalysis and blood testing, and flea, tick and heartworm protection, as well as $25 for health certificates.—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flea
Word History
Etymology
Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of flea was
before the 12th century
: any of the order Siphonaptera comprising wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals see cat flea, chigoesense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea
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