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pediculosis (n.)
"lice infestation," 1809, with -osis + Latin pediculus, diminutive of pedis "a louse," said in some sources to be akin to pedere "to break wind" (see petard) on notion of "foul-smelling insect" [Watkins]. But de Vaan traces it to a PIE *pesd- "annoying insect" and compares Avestan pazdu- "beetle, maggot." Pedicule "louse" is attested in Middle English (early 15c.).
updated on March 11, 2020
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Dictionary entries near pediculosis
pediatric
pediatrician
pediatrics
pedicel
pedicle
pediculosis
pediculous
pedicure
pedigree
pediment
pedo-