How Do You Spell LOUSE?

Pronunciation: [lˈa͡ʊs] (IPA)

The word "louse" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /laʊs/. The initial "l" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant, followed by the vowel diphthong "ou" as in "out", and ending with the voiceless alveolar fricative "s". This word refers to a parasitic insect that infests human hair or clothing. It is essential to spell the word correctly, as a misspelling can lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment.

LOUSE Meaning and Definition

  1. A louse refers to a small, parasitic insect belonging to the order Phthiraptera, which infests mammals and birds, including humans. There are different species of lice, each with its specific host preference. Lice are generally wingless, flattened creatures with a body specifically adapted for clinging tightly to hair, feathers, or fur. They have six legs ending in claws that facilitate their movement and allow them to grasp onto their host.

    Primarily known for their bloodsucking nature, lice feed on the blood or tissue fluids of their host, causing discomfort and itching as they bite and inject saliva into the skin. Infestations commonly occur in areas where hygiene and living conditions are poor, as lice can easily spread among individuals in close proximity. They are highly contagious, spreading through direct contact or by sharing personal items such as combs, hats, or bedding.

    Lice can cause various health problems, including secondary infections due to scratching, skin irritations, and in severe cases, anemia. Their eggs, known as nits, are firmly attached to hair shafts or feathers and can be difficult to remove. To combat lice, various treatments such as medicated shampoos, creams, or lotions are available for both humans and animals. Additionally, manual removal of nits using a fine-toothed comb may be necessary.

    The term "louse" is often used metaphorically to describe a contemptible or despicable person, reflecting the negative connotation of these parasitic organisms in society.

  2. Pediculus, phthirius; an animal parasite infesting the hairy parts or the clothing.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. To clean from lice.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LOUSE

Etymology of LOUSE

The word "louse" has an Old English origin, derived from the Proto-Germanic word "lusaz". This can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "lus", meaning "louse". The word has remained relatively consistent throughout the Germanic languages, such as Old High German "lus" and Old Norse "lús". The term "louse" refers to a parasitic insect that infests the hair or feathers of humans and animals.

Idioms with the word LOUSE

  • louse sm or sth up The idiom "louse something up" means to ruin, spoil, or botch something. It suggests causing a situation or task to go wrong, often due to carelessness, incompetence, or poor decision-making.
  • louse up The idiom "louse up" is defined as an expression used to describe a situation or an action that ruins or messes up something, causing it to become disorganized or ineffective. It refers to a state of confusion, disorder, or failure due to mistakes, carelessness, or incompetence.

Similar spelling words for LOUSE

Plural form of LOUSE is LOUSES

Conjugate verb Louse

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have loused
you would have loused
he/she/it would have loused
we would have loused
they would have loused
I would have louse
you would have louse
he/she/it would have louse
we would have louse
they would have louse

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been lousing
you would have been lousing
he/she/it would have been lousing
we would have been lousing
they would have been lousing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would louse
you would louse
he/she/it would louse
we would louse
they would louse

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be lousing
you would be lousing
he/she/it would be lousing
we would be lousing
they would be lousing

FUTURE

I will louse
you will louse
he/she/it will louse
we will louse
they will louse

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be lousing
you will be lousing
he/she/it will be lousing
we will be lousing
they will be lousing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have loused
you will have loused
he/she/it will have loused
we will have loused
they will have loused

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been lousing
you will have been lousing
he/she/it will have been lousing
we will have been lousing
they will have been lousing

IMPERATIVE

you louse
we let´s louse

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to louse

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was lousing
you were lousing
he/she/it was lousing
we were lousing
they were lousing

PAST PARTICIPLE

loused

PAST PERFECT

I had loused
you had loused
he/she/it had loused
we had loused
they had loused

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been lousing
you had been lousing
he/she/it had been lousing
we had been lousing
they had been lousing

PRESENT

I louse
you louse
he/she/it louses
we louse
they louse

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am lousing
you are lousing
he/she/it is lousing
we are lousing
they are lousing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

lousing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have loused
you have loused
he/she/it has loused
we have loused
they have loused

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been lousing
you have been lousing
he/she/it has been lousing
we have been lousing
they have been lousing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it louse

SIMPLE PAST

I loused
you loused
he/she/it loused
we loused
they loused

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