flea

Study(1)

/fliː/

noun 2verb 2

Collocations

(noun.)

ADJ

cat, dog, etc.

VERB + FLEA

get, have | be riddled with

control

My cat scratched constantly until we finally controlled the fleas with a new treatment.

FLEA + VERB

jump | bite | carry/spread disease

FLEA + NOUN

bite | collar, powder

Definitions

noun

A small, wingless, parasitic insect of the order Siphonaptera, renowned for its bloodsucking habits and jumping abilities.

A thing of no significance.

The nation of beggars on horseback which first colonized California has left behind it many traditions unworthy of conservation, and multitudinous fleas not at all traditional, but even less keepworthy […]

verb

To remove fleas from (an animal).

I have seen a Lubra, or native woman, suckling two puppies; and, like monkeys, these ladies have a particular fancy for fleaing their dogs.

verb

Obsolete spelling of flay.

[…] he'd flea me alive like another St Bartholomew.

In this Thwackum had the advantage; for while Square could only scarify the poor lad's reputation, he could flea his skin […]

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

flea in one's ear

A stinging rebuke or rebuff.

If he bothers me again, I'll send him home with a flea in his ear.

Example Bank

Wiktionary

I have seen a Lubra, or native woman, suckling two puppies; and, like monkeys, these ladies have a particular fancy for fleaing their dogs.

Wiktionary

[…] he'd flea me alive like another St Bartholomew.

Wiktionary

In this Thwackum had the advantage; for while Square could only scarify the poor lad's reputation, he could flea his skin […]

Wiktionary

Is there anywhere I can go to find a flea market?

Tatoeba · #34129

Karen bought a lot of things at the flea market.

Tatoeba · #63475

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, flea is marked as derogatory, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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