woodlouse

English

/ˈwʊd.ˌlaʊs/

noun
Definitions
  • Any of the terrestrial isopod crustaceans of suborder Oniscidea, which have a rigid, segmented exoskeleton, often being capable of rolling into a ball, and feed only on dead plant matter, usually living in damp, dark places, such as under stones or bark.

Etymology

Compound from English wood (mad, insane, wild, furious) + English louse.

Origin

English

louse

Gloss

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