earwig

ear-wig · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small elongated insect with pincers at the rear of its abdomen, belonging to the order Dermaptera.

  2. 2.

    (verb, informal) To eavesdrop or secretly listen to someone's conversation.

Forms

plural: earwigs

Related words

See also: beetle, insect

Etymology

From Old English earwicga, from eare (ear) + wicga (insect, beetle). The name comes from the old superstition that these insects crawl into people's ears, though this rarely occurs.