A tiny reddish larva of certain mite species that burrows into skin and causes intense itching, common in warm regions.
From West African languages, possibly Yoruba 'jiga,' brought into English during the colonial period when European traders encountered these parasites in tropical areas. The spelling 'chigger' became standard by the 19th century.
Chiggers are so small you can't see them with your naked eye, yet they cause massive itching—soldiers in tropical wars have historically struggled more with chigger infestations than with actual combat wounds, making these microscopic pests unexpectedly strategic.
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