Lexic.us

Definition of Earwig

1. Noun. Any of numerous insects of the order Dermaptera having elongate bodies and slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of large pincers at the rear of the abdomen.

Definition of Earwig

1. n. Any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera.

2. v. t. To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk.

Definition of Earwig

1. Noun. Any of various insects of the order ''Dermaptera'' that have elongated bodies, large membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen. ¹

2. Verb. To fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations. ¹

3. Verb. To attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk. ¹

4. Verb. (UK slang) To eavesdrop. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Earwig

1. to insinuate against in secret [v -WIGGED, -WIGGING, -WIGS]

Medical Definition of Earwig

1. 1. Any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera. 2. In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, especially. Of the genus Geophilus. Both insects are so called from the supposition that they creep into the human ear. 3. A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor. Origin: AS. Earwicga; eare ear + wicga beetle, worm: cf. Prov. E. Erri-wiggle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Earwig

Literary usage of Earwig

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Entomologist's Monthly Magazine by Nathaniel Lloyd and Company (1894)
"... but among the ashes under the furnace were great numbers of an earwig, different in appearance to any I had seen before. I took home several, ..."

2. Applied Entomology; an Introductory Text-book of Insects in Their Relations by Henry Torsey Fernald (1921)
"In the northern states the most common species is the Little earwig (Labia minor L.), ... In 1911 the common European earwig (Forficula auricularia L.), ..."

3. Variation in Animals and Plants by Horace Middleton Vernon (1903)
"Dimorphism in the earwig and in the crab—How to distinguish between species and varieties, as instanced by dimorphism in certain fishes, and in a marsh ..."

4. The New American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1859)
"... are several species, rather uncommon, and never injurious to vegetation.— The many-footed creeping animal erroneously called earwig in America (genus ..."

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