φθείρ

A. louse, Archil. 137, Heraclit. 56, Hdt. 2.37, 4.168, Ar. Pax 740, al., IG 42(1).122.45 (Epid., iv B. C.), etc.: prov., πρὸς φθεῖρα κείρασθαι, i. e. to be close shaven, Eub. 32; of the morbus pedicularis (φθειρίασις), τὴν σάρκα εἰς φθεῖρας μεταβάλλειν Plu. Sull. 36; τοῦ σώματος διαλυθέντος εἰς φθειρῶν πλῆθος D.S. 34/5.2.23; ὁ γευσάμενος . . φθειρσὶν ἐξέζεσεν Ael. NA 9.19.

2. of lice that infest animals, Arist. HA 556b22; birds, ib.557a11; fish, ib.557a22; also vegetables, μὴ ὁ σῖτος φθειρὶ ζέσῃ Luc. Ep.Sat. 26, cf. Ctes. Fr. 57.21, Gal. 6.572; οὐ ποιήσει φθεῖρας ἡ ἄμπελος Gp. 5.30.1.

II. sea-fish attendant on the dolphin, Naucrates ductor, Arist. HA 557a31, Marc.Sid. 86, Ael. NA 9.7.

III. the seed of a kind of pine, Phot.

IV. middle part of the rudder, Poll. 1.89.