Mallophaga

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mallophaga \Mal*loph"a*ga\ (m[a^]l*l[o^]f"[.a]*g[.a]), n. pl.
     [NL., fr. Gr. mallo`s a lock of wool + fagei^n to eat.]
     (Zool.)
     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}.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  Mallophaga
       n : biting lice [syn: {order Mallophaga}]