EARWIG

Earwig

Earwigs make up the insect order Dermaptera, found throughout the Americas, Africa, Eurasia, Australia and New Zealand. With about 2,000 species in 12 families, they are one of the smaller insect orders. Earwigs have characteristic cerci, a pair of forceps pincers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short forewings, hence the scientific order name, "skin wings." Some groups are tiny parasites on mammals and lack the typical pincers. Earwigs rarely use their flying ability.

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earwig

Noun

  1. 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.
  2. One who whispers insinuations; a secret counsellor.

Verb

  1. To fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.
  2. To attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk.
  3. To eavesdrop.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: earwig
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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