mallophaga Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun biting lice
    order Mallophaga.

WordNet

Mal*loph"a*ga noun plural
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. a lock of wool + to eat.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called also bird lice. See Bird louse, under Bird.

Webster 1913