wood louse

noun

1. : a terrestrial isopod crustacean (suborder Oniscoidea) that has a flattened elliptical body often capable of being rolled into a ball and seven pairs of walking legs, is commonly dull brown or gray, usually lives under stones or bark, and may damage the roots of young trees — called also pill bug, slater, sow bug; compare sea louse

2. : any of several small wingless insects of the order Corrodentia that live under bark, in the crevices of walls, and among old books and papers — compare book louse, deathwatch

3. : termite

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Zool.

any of certain small, terrestrial crustaceans of the genera Oniscus, Armadillidium, etc., having a flattened, elliptical body.

[1605-15]

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wood louse,

1. a small crustacean that has a flat, oval body and lives in decaying wood and damp soil; sow bug. Wood lice are isopods that live on land.

2. any one of certain small insects, such as termites, book lice, and mites, that live in the woodwork of houses.

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n. (pl. wood lice) a small terrestrial crustacean with a grayish segmented body and seven pairs of legs, living in damp habitats. ● Oniscus and other genera, order Isopoda

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noun, pl ⋯ lice [count]

: a small, gray insect that lives under stones and in other dark, wet places