flea

plural fleas · UK archaic dialectal plural fleen

1. A small, wingless, parasitic insect of the order Siphonaptera, renowned for its bloodsucking habits and jumping abilities.
2. derogatoryA thing of no significance.

   The nation of beggars on horseback which first colonized California has left behind it many traditions unworthy of conservation, and multitudinous fleas not at all traditional, but even less keepworthy […]

   1871, Fitz Hugh Ludlow, The Heart of the Continent, page 414

present singular third person fleas · participle present fleaing · participle past fleaed · past fleaed · participle past flead · past flead

1. transitiveTo remove fleas from (an animal).

   I have seen a Lubra, or native woman, suckling two puppies; and, like monkeys, these ladies have a particular fancy for fleaing their dogs.

   1861, Horace William Wheelwright, Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist, page 192

   Synonyms: deflea

present singular third person fleas · participle present fleaing · participle past flead · past flead

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of flay.

   […] he'd flea me alive like another St Bartholomew.

   1605, Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, Everyman's Library, published 1991, page 36

   1 more example

   In this Thwackum had the advantage; for while Square could only scarify the poor lad's reputation, he could flea his skin […]

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC