crabs
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice: "Crabs" is a common informal term for a parasitic infestation caused by Pthirus pubis, small insects that live and lay eggs in human pubic hair, causing itching and discomfort.
Usage
- The term "crabs" is used informally, often in medical or personal health contexts, to describe the condition itself.
- It is typically used with a singular verb when referring to the infestation as a condition (e.g., "Crabs is treatable").
- It can also refer to the lice themselves in a plural sense (e.g., "He has crabs").
Examples
- Noun:
- The doctor diagnosed him with crabs after he complained of intense itching.
- Crabs is a sexually transmitted infestation that requires specific medication.
- She was embarrassed to tell her partner she had gotten crabs.
Advanced Usage
- "to have crabs": to be infested with pubic lice.
- He went to the clinic because he thought he might have crabs.
Variants and Related Words
- Crab louse (n, singular): The specific insect, , that causes the infestation.
- A single crab louse was visible under the microscope.
- Pubic lice (n, plural): The formal medical term for the parasites.
- The treatment for pubic lice is widely available.
Synonyms
- Pediculus pubis: The former scientific name for the crab louse.
- Phthiriasis: The medical term for infestation with lice.
Notes on Meaning
- The primary and most common meaning of "crabs" in this context is the medical infestation. It is crucial to distinguish this from the plural of "crab" (the marine crustacean). Context always clarifies the intended meaning.
Noun
- infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice