Definition of INSECT

insect

Meanings

Plural: insects

Noun

  • small air-breathing arthropod
  • a person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect
  • An arthropod (in the Insecta class) characterized by six legs, up to four wings, and a chitinous exoskeleton.
  • Any small arthropod similar to an insect, including spiders, centipedes, millipedes, etc.
  • A contemptible or powerless person.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle French insecte, from Latin īnsectum, from īnsectus (“cut into, cut up, with a notched or divided body”), from perfect passive participle of īnsecō (“I cut into, I cut up”), from in- + secō (“I cut”), from the notion that the insect's body is "cut into" three sections (head, thorax, abdomen). Calque of Ancient Greek ἔντομον (éntomon, “insect”), from ἔντομος (éntomos, “cut into pieces”).

Synonyms

bug, dirt ball, insect, louse, worm

Scrabble Score: 8

insect is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
insect is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
insect is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

insect is a valid Words With Friends word