stridulate

[ strij-uh-leyt ]

verb (used without object)

, strid·u·lat·ed, strid·u·lat·ing.

1. to produce a shrill, grating sound, as a cricket does, by rubbing together certain parts of the body; shrill.

stridulate

/ ˈstrɪdjʊˌleɪt; ˈstrɪdjʊˌleɪtərɪ /

verb

1. intr (of insects such as the cricket) to produce sounds by rubbing one part of the body against another

Derived Forms

• ˈstriduˌlator, noun
• ˌstriduˈlation, noun
• stridulatory, adjective

Other Words From

• stridu·lation noun
• strid·u·la·to·ry [strij, -, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• un·stridu·lating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stridulate¹

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from stridulation; stridulous, -ate ¹, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of stridulate¹

C19: back formation from stridulation, from Latin strīdulus creaking, hissing, from strīdēre to make a harsh noise

Example Sentences

Many insects stridulate by rubbing together specially modified parts of their hard integuments.

From Project Gutenberg

The insects which employ the fourth method also stridulate during night.

From Project Gutenberg

Stridulate: to make a creaking noise by rubbing together two ridged or roughened surfaces.

From Project Gutenberg