wasp
wasp Lexical Profile
wasp Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of numerous flying insects of the order Hymenoptera, typically characterized by a slender body with a narrow waist, a paper-like nest, and the ability of females to inflict a painful sting.
"We had to carefully move our outdoor seating because a wasp was building a nest under the patio umbrella."
American An American of Northern European and Protestant ancestry, especially one belonging to the privileged, upper-class establishment (usually capitalized as WASP).
"During the mid-20th century, the highest levels of the banking sector were largely dominated by the Northeastern WASP establishment."
A person who is highly irritable, snappish, or prone to making sharp, stinging remarks.
"The theater critic was known as a formidable wasp, whose reviews could end an actor's career overnight."
Word Nuance & Usage
When capitalized as WASP, the word functions as an acronym for 'White Anglo-Saxon Protestant,' referencing a demographic historically associated with American elite society; the lowercase 'wasp' refers exclusively to the insect or a person with a stinging, irritable personality.
• Rhymes for wasp
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'wæsp' or 'wæps', from Proto-Germanic 'waspō' (compare German 'Wespe'). This derives from the Proto-Indo-European root '*webh-' meaning 'to weave', likely referencing the intricate, woven appearance of their paper nests.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.