kissing bug

American  

noun

1. Informal.

   1. a person much given to kissing.

   2. an irresistible desire to kiss or be kissed.

2. any of several assassin bugs that attack humans, sometimes inflicting painful bites.

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kissing bug British  

noun

1. a North American assassin bug, Melanolestes picipes, with a painful bite, usually attacking the lips or cheeks of man

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Etymology

Origin of kissing bug

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does kissing-bug compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• assassin bug vs. kissing bug

Example Sentences

Other insects do this, such as the kissing bug, which uses a "stretch receptor" in its abdomen to monitor its size, Shingleton explained.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2023

The triatomine bug, also known as the notorious kissing bug, has been an obscure threat in the United States, with the highest density in Latin America and some Western states.

From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2019

As well as the bloodsucking kissing bug and a half-dozen species of rattlesnake, there are black widows, Gila monsters, the deadly poisonous coral snakes and the giant, hairy desert scorpions.

From The Guardian • Jun. 16, 2018

At least, it didn’t until 2015 when notorious pharma bro Martin Shkreli realized that the kissing bug disease had been added to a coveted list of neglected and rare conditions.

From Slate • Sep. 7, 2017

"Better than being bitten by the kissing bug anyhow," teased Roy mischievously.

From The Girl Aviators on Golden Wings by Burnham, Margaret