insect

From Wiktionary

insect is part of the Basic English 850.
This word was selected as the Word of the Day for 21-04-2006.

Contents 1 Pronunciation 2 Noun 2.1 Synonyms 2.2 Antonyms 2.3 Derived words 2.4 Related words

[change] Pronunciation

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[change] Noun

Singular insect

Plural insects

1. A type of small animal with an external skeleton and six legs.

   I killed a large insect in the bathroom.

   Crickets, ants, ladybugs, and flies are insects.

2. (figurative) A person who is weak or not important.

   The mayor thought of her as a mere insect.

[change] Synonyms

• (small animal) bug
• (person) weakling

[change] Antonyms

• (person) big dog

[change] Derived words

• insecticide
• insectivore

[change] Related words

• colony
• exoskeleton
• hive