Insecta

[ in-sek-tuh ]

/ ɪnˈsɛk tə /

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noun

the class comprising the insects.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of Insecta

1570–80; <New Latin, Latin, plural of insectuminsect

I shall next copy for you Latreille's latest definition of Insecta and Arachnida.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
Sometimes they are trache or air-vessels, which, as in the class Insecta, replace those of circulation.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
The Crustacea agree with Insecta in having a body divided into segments, furnished with jointed legs, compound eyes, and antenn.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
This want of coincidence is strikingly shown in a group of animals widely remote from the Insecta, viz.
Studies in the Theory of Descent (Volumes 1 and 2)|August Weismann

Lamarck regarded them as more nearly allied to the Crustacea than Insecta.
Our Common Insects|Alpheus Spring Packard