English Explanatory Dictionary

insect

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An arthropod (in the Insecta class) characterized by six legs, up to four wings, and a chitinous exoskeleton.
  2. Any small arthropod similar to an insect, including spiders, centipedes, millipedes, etc.
  3. A contemptible or powerless person.

Pronunciation

/ˈɪn.sɛkt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-insect.wav en-us-insect.ogg

Word forms

insect insects

Etymology

From Middle French insecte, from Latin īnsectum, from īnsectus (“cut into, cut up, with a notched or divided body”), from perfect passive participle of īnsecō (“to cut into, to cut up”), from in- + secō (“to cut”), from the notion that the insect's body is "cut into" three sections (head, thorax, abdomen). Calque of Ancient Greek ἔντομον (éntomon, “insect”), from ἔντομος (éntomos, “cut into pieces”).

Synonyms

bug insect

Related words

arachnid arthropod beetle bug chafer coleopter entomology larva worm :Category:Insects

Derived words

angel insect antiinsect beneficial insect coral insect deinsectization disinsect fig insect ghost insect insectageddon insectan insectarium insectdom insected insect hotel insect house insecticidal insecticide insectiferous insectiform insectile insectivore insectivorous insectkind insectless insectlike insectoid insectology insectophobe insectophobia insectotoxin insect powder insectproof insect repellent insect screen insect wax insecty lac insect leaf insect Lord Howe Island stick insect microinsect noninsect Persian insect powder scale insect social insect stick insect turtle-insect wax insect
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