sea louse

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun sea louse has 1 sense

sea louse, sea slater - marine isopod crustacean
--₁ is a kind of isopod

Definitions from the Web

Sea Louse

Description:

A sea louse is a small crustacean that belongs to the family of parasitic marine copepods. They are commonly found in both saltwater and brackish water environments. Sea lice have a flattened body with multiple legs and antennae, and they attach themselves to the bodies of various marine organisms, including fish, whales, and other crustaceans.

Senses:

Sense 1 - Noun:

A sea louse refers to a parasitic copepod crustacean that infests the skin or gills of marine animals causing irritation and potential harm. Sea lice can negatively impact the health and well-being of their hosts.

Example sentence: The salmon population in the area has been greatly affected by an outbreak of sea lice, leading to a decrease in their numbers.

Sense 2 - Noun:

Sea louse can also refer to a similar parasitic crustacean that affects the well-being of farmed fish, impairing their growth and causing economic losses to fish farmers.

Example sentence: Due to the sea lice infestation, the fish farm had to invest in advanced filtering systems to minimize the impact on their salmon stock.

Sense 3 - Noun:

Locally, the term "sea louse" can be used in a figurative sense to describe a person who constantly irritates or annoys others.

Example sentence: My little brother can be such a sea louse, always bothering me when I'm trying to study.

Sense 4 – Adjective:

"Sea louse" can also function as an adjective, describing something or someone that is associated with or resembling a sea louse.

Example sentence: The boat's hull was covered in sea louse barnacles, requiring regular maintenance to prevent damage.