cootie
/'ku:ti/
Definition
- Noun:
- A body louse: A small, parasitic insect that lives on the skin and in the clothing of humans.
- (Informal, childish) An imaginary germ or bug: Used by children to humorously suggest someone is "contaminated" or "gross," often to avoid physical contact.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Literal):
- Noun (Figurative/Childish):
Advanced Usage
- "Cootie catcher": A folded paper fortune-telling game for children, also known as a "fortune teller." The name humorously plays on the idea of "catching" imaginary germs.
Variants and Related Words
- Louse (n): The standard term for the parasitic insect. "Cootie" is a slang synonym.
- Cooties (n, plural): The most common form used, especially in the childish sense.
Synonyms
- Body louse (n): The formal term for the insect.
- Germ (n): A microorganism causing disease; used similarly in the childish context.
Related Idioms & Phrases
- "To have cooties": (Childish idiom) To be considered gross or untouchable, typically used by children about the opposite gender.
Noun
-
a parasitic louse that infests the body of human beings
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