Definitions for earwig
ˈɪərˌwɪgear·wig

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earwignoun

   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

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. earwignoun

   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. earwigverb

   To fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.

3. earwigverb

   To attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk.

4. earwigverb

   To eavesdrop.

5. Etymology: From erwigge, from êarwicga.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Earwignoun

   A sheath-winged insect, imagined to creep into the ear.

   Etymology: eare and wigga, a grub, Saxon.

   Himself he on an earwig set;
   Yet scarce he on his back could get,
   So oft and high he did curvet. Michael Drayton, Nymphid.

   Earwigs and snails seldom infect timber. John Mortimer, Husb.

   Doll never flies to cut her lace,
   Or throw cold water in her face,
   Because she heard a sudden drum,
   Or found an earwig in a plum. Jonathan Swift.

   2. By way of reproach, a whisperer; a prying informer.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Earwig

   Earwigs make up the insect order Dermaptera. With about 2,000 species in 12 families, they are one of the smaller insect orders. Earwigs have characteristic cerci, a pair of forcep-like pincers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short, rarely used forewings, hence the scientific order name, "skin wings". Some groups are tiny parasites on mammals and lack the typical pincers. Earwigs are found on all continents except Antarctica. Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs, especially the common earwig Forficula auricularia. Earwigs have five molts in the year before they become adults. Many earwig species display maternal care, which is uncommon among insects. Female earwigs may care for their eggs, and even after they have hatched as nymphs will continue to watch over offspring until their second molt. As the nymphs molt, sexual dimorphism such as differences in pincer shapes begins to show. Extant Dermaptera belong to the suborder Neodermaptera, which first appeared during the Cretaceous. Some earwig specimen fossils are placed extinct suborders Archidermaptera or Eodermaptera, the former dating to the Late Triassic and the latter to the Middle Jurassic. Dermaptera belongs to the major grouping Polyneoptera, and are amongst the earliest diverging members of the group, alongside angel insects (Zoraptera), and stoneflies (Plecoptera), the exact relationship between the three groups is uncertain.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earwig

   An earwig is a small, elongated type of insect that is found in various regions all around the world. They are known for their distinctive pincers on their abdomen, and while some species have wings, they rarely fly. The name 'earwig' is derived from an old superstition that these insects would crawl into the ears of sleeping people, but this belief is primarily based on myth rather than fact. They are generally harmless to humans, and they typically feed on other insects, plants and decaying organic matter.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Earwignoun

   any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera

2. Earwignoun

   in America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus Geophilus

3. Earwignoun

   a whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor

4. Earwigverb

   to influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk

5. Etymology: [AS. erwicga; ere ear + wicga beetle, worm: cf. Prov. E. erri-wiggle.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. 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. Earwigs are nocturnal; they often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs, especially the common earwig Forficula auricularia. Earwigs have five molts in the year before they become adults. Many earwig species display maternal care, which is uncommon among insects. Female earwigs may care for their eggs, and even after they have hatched as nymphs will continue to watch over offspring until their second molt. As the nymphs molt, sexual dimorphism such as differences in pincer shapes begins to show. Some earwig specimen fossils are in the extinct suborders Archidermaptera or Eodermaptera, the former dating to the Late Triassic and the latter to the Middle Jurassic. Many orders of insect have been theorized to be closely related to earwigs, though the icebugs of Grylloblattaria are most likely.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earwig

   Small listening device stuck into the ear to receive instructions or information from another person.

   He stuck the earwig into his ear before the game so that the camera operator could tell him what cards the other players were holding.

   
   

   Submitted by anonymous on May 10, 2021  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. earwig

   Song lyrics by earwig -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by earwig on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

1. • Insect

Anagrams for earwig »

1. grewia

How to pronounce earwig?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say earwig in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of earwig in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of earwig in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=earwig
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Earwig
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=earwig
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earwig
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earwig
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=earwig