insect

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Anagrams 1.5 See also 1.6 External links

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin insectum (“‘cut up’”) < perfect passive partciple of insecō (“‘I cut up’”) < in- + secō (“‘I cut’”)

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɛkt

[edit] Noun

insect (plural insects)

1. An arthropod in the class Insecta, characterized by six legs, up to four wings, and a chitinous exoskeleton.

   Our shed has several insect infestions, including ants, yellowjackets, and wasps.

2. (colloquial) Any small arthropod similar to an insect including spiders, centipedes, millipedes, etc

   The swamp is swarming with every sort of insect.

3. A contemptible or powerless person.

   The manager’s assistant was the worst sort of insect.

[edit] Synonyms

• bug (Colloquial 1,2)

[edit] Related terms

• insecticidal
• insecticide
• insectivore
• insectivorous

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• incest
• nicest

[edit] See also

• arachnid
• arthropod
• beetle
• bug
• chafer
• coleopter
• entomology
• larva
• worm

[edit] External links

• Insect on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Insecta on Wikispecies. Wikispecies: insecta
• Wikiquote has an article on “Insect”. Wikiquote
• Insect on Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia Commons