earwig

American  

[eer-wig] / ˈɪərˌwɪg /

noun

1. 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)

earwigs, present (3rd person singular) earwigged, past participle, past earwigging present participle

1. to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.

earwig British  

/ ˈɪəˌwɪɡ /

noun

1. 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

1. informal to eavesdrop

2. archaic (tr) to attempt to influence (a person) by private insinuation

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has earwigged
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have earwigged
  perfect
• earwigs
  singular 3rd person
• earwigging
  participle
• have been earwigging
  perfect progressive
• are earwigging
  progressive
• am earwigging
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been earwigging
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is earwigging
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had earwigged
  perfect
• had been earwigging
  perfect progressive
• earwigged
  simple
• were earwigging
  progressive plural
• earwigged
  participle
• was earwigging
  progressive singular

Future

• will earwig
  simple
• will have earwigged
  perfect
• will be earwigging
  progressive
• will have been earwigging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of earwig

before 1000; Middle English erwigge, Old English ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See wiggle