The Collaborative International Dictionary
Flea \Flea\, n. [OE. fle, flee, AS. fle['a], fle['a]h; akin to D. vtoo, OHG. fl[=o]h, G. floh, Icel. fl[=o], Russ. blocha; prob. from the root of E. flee. [root]84. See Flee.] (Zo["o]l.) 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 ( Ctenocephalides canis, formerly Pulex canis) and the smaller cat flea ( Ctenocephalides felis) take 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.
Usage examples of "a flea in the ear".
The Etrurians and Umbrians came, luckily so truculent and overbearing that they irritated men they might otherwise have wooed, and were dispatched home again with a flea in the ear and scant sympathy from anyone.
He'd put a flea in the ear of young Kern of Crom, Lord Nessel's third son and Nabol's second.
If I say to you that when, a week before, that young man come to ask Miss Blacklock for money and she sends him away, as you say, with a flea in the ear—.