any mite of the family Sarcoptidae, all of which are skin parasites, esp Sarcoptes scabei, which causes scabies
itch mite in American English
noun
a parasitic mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, causing itch or scabies in humans and a form of mange in animals
Word origin
[1825–35]This word is first recorded in the period 1825–35. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: breakdown, panda, relativity, spiritualism, structural