释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024flea /fli/USA pronunciation n. [countable]- Insectsa small, wingless, bloodsucking insect, noted for its ability to leap.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024flea (flē),USA pronunciation n. - Insectsany of numerous small, wingless bloodsucking insects of the order Siphonaptera, parasitic upon mammals and birds and noted for their ability to leap.
- Insectseither of two common fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides, the very small, black C. felis (cat flea) or the similar but larger C. canis (dog flea,) both of which infest cats, dogs, and occasionally humans.
- Insects, Invertebratesany of various small beetles and crustaceans that leap like a flea or swim in a jumpy manner, as the water flea and beach flea.
- Idioms flea in one's ear:
- a disconcerting rebuke or rebuff:The next time he shows his face around here he'll get a flea in his ear.
- a broad hint.
- bef. 900; Middle English fle, Old English flēah, flēa; cognate with German Floh; akin to flee
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: flea /fliː/ n - any small wingless parasitic blood-sucking insect of the order Siphonaptera, living on the skin of mammals and birds and noted for its power of leaping
- any of various invertebrates that resemble fleas, such as the water flea and flea beetle
- flea in one's ear ⇒ informal a sharp rebuke
Etymology: Old English flēah; related to Old Norse flō, Old High German flōh |