insect

in·sect

noun \ˈin-ˌsekt\

Definition of INSECT

1

a : any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented —not used technically b : any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings

2

: a trivial or contemptible person

— insect adjective

Examples of INSECT

1. a swarm of flying insects
2. <the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names>

Illustration of INSECT

Origin of INSECT

Latin insectum, from neuter of insectus, past participle of insecare to cut into, from in- + secare to cut — more at saw

First Known Use: 1601

Related to INSECT

Synonyms: cipher, dwarf, half-pint, nobody, insignificancy, lightweight, morsel, nonentity, nothing, nullity, number, pip-squeak, pygmy (also pigmy), shrimp, snippersnapper, twerp, whippersnapper, zero, zilch

Antonyms: big shot, big wheel, bigwig, eminence, figure, kahuna, kingpin, magnate, nabob, personage, somebody, VIP

Related Words: no-name, noncelebrity; least; inferior, mediocrity, obscurity; figurehead, puppet; nonperson

Near Antonyms: chief, head, lead, leader; celebrity, luminary, notable, personality, planet, star, superstar; authority, superior; great power, party, power

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Rhymes with INSECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked