anthoodn.
/ˈanthʊd/, U.S. /ˈæntˌ(h)ʊd/ The state or condition of being an ant; ants as a group; ants collectively.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [noun] > suborder Apocrita, Petiolata, or Heterophaga > group Aculeata (stinging) > ant > collective
anthood1854
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > order Hymenoptera > [noun] > suborder Apocrita, Petiolata, or Heterophaga > group Aculeata (stinging) > ant > ant nature
anthood1854
1854 H. G. Dalton Hist. Brit. Guiana II. 303 The eggs of the female pass through the larva and pupa stages before they arrive at puberty or ‘anthood’.
1882 G. J. Romanes Animal Intelligence iii. 108 A mass of struggling anthood was piled up around the gate.
1909 H. C. McCook Ant Communities & How they are Governed viii. 164 The nurses seem to be in the prime of anthood, vigorous and efficient.
1983 C. Ozick Art & Ardor (1984) 163 It is possible to write ‘There is only one ant, and its name is Antkind’; anthood is praised thereby.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1854