insect
insect Lexical Profile
insect Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small arthropod animal of the class Insecta, typically characterized by a segmented body divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen, along with six legs, two antennae, and often one or two pairs of wings.
"Bees, butterflies, and beetles are all common types of insects found in most temperate gardens."
A contemptible, insignificant, or irritating person.
"The arrogant king treated his loyal subjects as if they were mere insects waiting to be crushed."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday language, 'insect' is often used interchangeably with 'bug', but in strict entomological terms, a 'bug' refers only to a specific order of insects (Hemiptera) characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'insectum' (literally 'animal with a notched or divided body'), a calque of the Greek word 'entomon' (cut into pieces), referring to the visibly segmented bodies characteristic of these creatures.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.