Flea (?), v. t. [See Flay.]
To flay.
[Obs.]
He will be fleaced first
And horse collars made of's skin.
J. Fletcher.
© Webster 1913.
Flea, n. [OE. fle, flee, AS. fle�xa0;, fle�xa0;h; akin to D. , OHG. flh, G. floh, Icel. fl, Russ. blocha; prob. from the root of E. flee. 84. See Flee.] Zool.
An insect belonging to the genus Pulex, of the order Aphaniptera. Fleas are destitute of wings, but have the power of leaping energetically. The bite is poisonous to most persons. The human flea (Pulex irritans), abundant in Europe, is rare in America, where the dog flea (P. canis) takes its place. See Aphaniptera, and Dog flea. See Illustration in Appendix.
A flea in the ear, an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply, annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a flea in one's ear; to go away with a flea in one's ear. -- Beach flea, Black flea, etc. See under Beach, etc.
© Webster 1913.