noun
1.
any of numerous elongate, nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, having a pair of large, movable pincers at the rear of the abdomen.
verb (used with object)
2.
to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.
Origin:
before 1000; Middle English erwigge, Old English ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See wiggle
before 1000; Middle English erwigge, Old English ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See wiggle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To earwig
Collins
World English Dictionary
earwig (ˈɪəˌwɪɡ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | any of various insects of the order Dermaptera, esp Forficula auricularia (common European earwig), which typically have an elongated body with small leathery forewings, semicircular membranous hindwings, and curved forceps at the tip of the abdomen |
| —vb , -wigs, -wigging, -wigged | |
| 2. | informal to eavesdrop |
| 3. | archaic (tr) to attempt to influence (a person) by private insinuation |
| [Old English ēarwicga, from ēare | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Earwig
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| to flee; abscond: |
| chat, to converse |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
earwig
(Forficula auricularia), O.E. earwicga, from eare (see ear (1)) + wicga "beetle, worm," probably related to wiggle. So called from the ancient and widespread (but false) belief that the garden pest went into people's ears.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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