earwig
[ eer-wig ]
/ ˈɪərˌwɪg /
noun
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), ear·wigged, ear·wig·ging.
to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.
Origin of earwig
before 1000; Middle English
erwigge, Old English
ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See
wiggle
Words nearby earwig
earthwoman,
earthwork,
earthworm,
earthy,
earwax,
earwig,
earwigging,
earwitness,
earworm,
eas,
ease
Example sentences from the Web for earwig
British Dictionary definitions for earwig
earwig
/ (ˈɪəˌwɪɡ) /
noun
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
verb -wigs, -wigging or -wigged
informal
to eavesdrop
(tr) archaic
to attempt to influence (a person) by private insinuation
Word Origin for earwig
Old English
ēarwicga, from
ēare
ear
1 +
wicga beetle, insect; probably from a superstition that the insect crept into human ears