How Do You Spell PEDICULOUS?

Pronunciation: [pɛdˈɪkjʊləs] (IPA)

Pediculous is a word used to describe someone who is infested with lice. The spelling of the word is unusual as it includes the suffix "-culous", which means "full of" or "covered in". The prefix "pedi-" refers to the Latin word "pedis", meaning "foot". Together, the word means "full of lice on the feet". The IPA phonetic transcription for pediculous is /pɛˈdɪkjʊləs/. The pronunciation includes emphasis on the first syllable and a short "i" sound in the second syllable.

PEDICULOUS Meaning and Definition

  1. Pediculous is an adjective that refers to the state of being infested with lice or other parasitic insects. It specifically describes a condition where the body or hair is affected by lice, commonly known as head lice or body lice.

    In a literal sense, pediculous describes the presence or infestation of these small, wingless insects that live on human skin and feed on blood. It signifies the existence of an undesirable and unhygienic situation in which parasitic insects have taken up residence on the body, typically in the hair, resulting in discomfort, itching, and sometimes skin irritation.

    However, pediculous can also be used metaphorically to depict a situation or environment that is plagued by persistent and harmful influences. In this context, it emphasizes the presence of something undesirable, troublesome, or invasive that negatively impacts and hampers the functioning, growth, or progress of a person, group, or system.

    Whether used literally or metaphorically, the term pediculous highlights the need for immediate and thorough action to rid oneself or a situation of the pesky and detrimental influences of lice or other damaging elements.

  2. Infested with pediculi, lousy.

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

Common Misspellings for PEDICULOUS

  • peddiculus
  • oediculous
  • lediculous
  • 0ediculous
  • pwdiculous
  • psdiculous
  • pddiculous
  • prdiculous
  • p4diculous
  • p3diculous
  • pesiculous
  • pexiculous
  • peciculous
  • peficulous
  • periculous
  • peeiculous
  • peduculous
  • pedjculous
  • pedkculous
  • pedoculous

Etymology of PEDICULOUS

The word pediculous has Latin roots. It is derived from the Latin word pediculus, which means louse. In Latin, pediculus is the diminutive form of pes, meaning foot. Therefore, pediculous literally translates to louse-like or infested with lice.

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: