emmet

¹ American  

[em-it] / ˈɛm ɪt /

noun

Chiefly Dialect.

1. an ant.

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Emmet ² American  

[em-it] / ˈɛm ɪt /

noun

1. Robert, 1778–1803, Irish patriot.

2. a male given name.

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emmet ¹ British  

/ ˈɛmɪt /

noun

1. an archaic or dialect word for ant

2. dialect a tourist or holiday-maker

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Emmet ² British  

/ ˈɛmɪt /

noun

1. Robert. 1778–1803, Irish nationalist, executed for leading an uprising for Irish independence

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Etymology

Origin of emmet

before 900; Middle English emete, Old English ǣmette ant

Example Sentences

And so the region depends on tourism — the spending of “emmets,” a Cornish term for ants and for holidaymakers from “up country.”

From Washington Post

Even in the best of holiday seasons, the people of Cornwall in southwest England have a love-hate relationship with the hordes of summer visitors the locals call “emmets,” which is Cornish for ants.

From Washington Post

I had forgotten that I had told him, four or five days ago, my hatred for all cities, and especially for that great mound of greedy emmets, which, unfortunately, is the capital of this country.

From Project Gutenberg

O Thou who givest sight to emmet's eyes, And strength to puny limbs of feeble flies, To Thee we will ascribe Almighty power, And not base, unbecoming qualities.

From Project Gutenberg

And many another he might phrase Who studies as they pass The human emmet's social ways, Through observation's glass.

From Project Gutenberg