Flea — Defs

01 v. t. To flay.

1.
To flay.[Obs.]
“He will be fleaed first And horse collars made of's skin.” — J. Fletcher.

02 n. An insect belonging to the genus Pulex, of the order Aphaniptera. Fleas are destitute of wings, but have the power of leaping energetically…

1.
An insect belonging to the genus Pulex, of the order Aphaniptera. Fleas are destitute of wings, but have the power of leaping energetically. The bite is poisonous to most persons. The human flea (Pulex irritans), abundant in Europe, is rare in America, where the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis, formerly Pulex canis) and the smaller cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) take its place. See Aphaniptera, and Dog flea. See Illustration in Appendix.(Zool.) See: Aphaniptera, Dog flea

Phrases & compounds

A flea in the ear — an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply, annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a flea in one's ear; to go away with a flea in one's ear.

Beach flea — See under Beach, etc.