A.louse, Archil.137, Heraclit.56, Hdt.2.37, 4.168, Ar.Pax740, 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.NA9.19.
2. of lice that infest animals, Arist.HA556b22; 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.
III. the seed of a kind of pine, Phot.
IV. middle part of the rudder, Poll.1.89.