frass

[ fras ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

insect excrement.

frass

/ fræs /

noun

excrement or other refuse left by insects and insect larvae

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Word History and Origins

Origin of frass¹

1850–55; originally, the refuse and excrement of boring or leaf-eating insects < German Frass insect damage, corrosion, noun from base of fressen to eat (of animals); fress, fret ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of frass¹

C19: from German, from fressen to devour

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Example Sentences

The sound of the falling frass from the thousands of caterpillars resembles a shower of rain.

From Project Gutenberg

Generally underneath the tree will be found the frass, or ejectamenta, of the caterpillar.

From Project Gutenberg

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