insect

noun

in·sect ˈin-ˌsekt How to pronounce insect (audio)

: any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (such as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings

: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (such as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented

—not used technically

: a trivial or contemptible person

insect adjective

Did you know?

The bodies of insects have segments, or divisions, so they appear to have a series of notches cut into them. This led the Greek philosopher Aristotle to give insects the name entomon “a thing cut into.” Entomon comes from the prefix en- “in,” combined with the verb temnein “to cut.” Later, when the Romans wanted a word for this kind of creature, they did not simply borrow the Greek word. Instead they translated it with the Latin word insectum, from the verb insecare “to cut into.” Insectum was borrowed into English as insect.

Example Sentences

a swarm of flying insects the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names

Recent Examples on the Web The findings could help provide a more complete understanding of how monarchs and other insect populations are faring in North America, said William Snyder, an entomologist at the University of Georgia and a co-author of the study.

Denise Chow, NBC News, 10 June 2022 Scientists are increasingly concerned about studies showing key insect populations are falling due to factors such as loss of habitat, pesticide use and climate change.

Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2022 Climate change and habitat loss from big agriculture are combining to swat down global insect populations, with each problem making the other worse, a new study finds.

Seth Borenstein, ajc, 20 Apr. 2022 Worldwide, it is estimated that insect populations are dropping by as much as 2 percent a year, with the United Nations warning that half a million species could be wiped out this century.

Oliver Milman, Wired, 12 Mar. 2022 Managing the land less intensively boosts native insect populations, which in turn lures native birds such as sparrows, juncos and catbirds.

Asher Elbein, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2022 Conserve biological control agents such as predators and the parasitoids that feed on insect pests.

oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2022 Health officials recommend using insect repellent and avoiding high-risk areas including tall grass, where ticks may be found.

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 8 June 2022 With the approach of summer, Lyme disease-bearing ticks are out, and volunteers in Belgorod have been making homemade insect repellent, putting it into spray bottles and delivering it to the front.

New York Times, 28 May 2022 See More

单词	insect
释义	insect noun in·sect ˈin-ˌsekt 1 a : any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (such as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings b : any of numerous small invertebrate animals (such as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented —not used technically 2 : a trivial or contemptible person insect adjective Illustration of insect 1 labial palpus 2 maxillary palpus 3 simple eye 4 antenna 5 compound eye 6 prothorax 7 tympanum 8 wing 9 ovipositor 10 spiracles 11 abdomen 12 metathorax 13 mesothorax Did you know? The bodies of insects have segments, or divisions, so they appear to have a series of notches cut into them. This led the Greek philosopher Aristotle to give insects the name entomon “a thing cut into.” Entomon comes from the prefix en- “in,” combined with the verb temnein “to cut.” Later, when the Romans wanted a word for this kind of creature, they did not simply borrow the Greek word. Instead they translated it with the Latin word insectum, from the verb insecare “to cut into.” Insectum was borrowed into English as insect. Synonyms cipher dwarf half-pint insignificancy lightweight morsel nobody nonentity nothing nullity number pip-squeak pygmy pigmy shrimp snippersnapper twerp whippersnapper zero zilch See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences a swarm of flying insects the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names Recent Examples on the Web The findings could help provide a more complete understanding of how monarchs and other insect populations are faring in North America, said William Snyder, an entomologist at the University of Georgia and a co-author of the study. Denise Chow, NBC News, 10 June 2022 Scientists are increasingly concerned about studies showing key insect populations are falling due to factors such as loss of habitat, pesticide use and climate change. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2022 Climate change and habitat loss from big agriculture are combining to swat down global insect populations, with each problem making the other worse, a new study finds. Seth Borenstein, ajc, 20 Apr. 2022 Worldwide, it is estimated that insect populations are dropping by as much as 2 percent a year, with the United Nations warning that half a million species could be wiped out this century. Oliver Milman, Wired, 12 Mar. 2022 Managing the land less intensively boosts native insect populations, which in turn lures native birds such as sparrows, juncos and catbirds. Asher Elbein, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2022 Conserve biological control agents such as predators and the parasitoids that feed on insect pests. oregonlive, 1 Aug. 2022 Health officials recommend using insect repellent and avoiding high-risk areas including tall grass, where ticks may be found. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 8 June 2022 With the approach of summer, Lyme disease-bearing ticks are out, and volunteers in Belgorod have been making homemade insect repellent, putting it into spray bottles and delivering it to the front. New York Times, 28 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin insectum, from neuter of insectus, past participle of insecare to cut into, from in- + secare to cut — more at saw First Known Use 1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1b Phrases Containing insect scale insect spittle insect social insect cochineal insect stick insect scale insect spittle insect social insect cochineal insect stick insect Kids Definition insect noun in·sect ˈin-ˌsekt 1 : any of a group of small and often winged animals that are arthropods having six jointed legs and a body formed of a head, thorax, and abdomen Flies, bees, and lice are true insects. 2 : an animal (as a spider or a centipede) similar to the true insects Hint: This meaning is not scientifically accurate but may be encountered in common everyday use. Medical Definition insect noun in·sect ˈin-ˌsekt : any arthropod of the class Insecta insect noun as in dwarf a person of no importance or influence the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance dwarf cipher shrimp nobody lightweight pygmy twerp morsel number zero inferior puppet pigmy nothing insignificancy pip-squeak snippersnapper whippersnapper half-pint zilch nullity nonentity least obscurity mediocrity noncelebrity no-name figurehead nonperson Antonyms & Near Antonyms figure somebody personage head eminence big wheel leader planet personality kingpin magnate celebrity star nabob chief bigwig lead big shot luminary kahuna superstar notable party superior power authority great power VIP See More
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insect

noun

Illustration of insect

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing insect

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

noun