termite
[tur-mahyt]
- any of numerous pale-colored, soft-bodied, chiefly tropical social insects, of the order Isoptera, that feed on wood, some being highly destructive to buildings, furniture, etc.
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Origin of termite
1775–85; taken as singular of New Latin termites, plural of termes white ant, Latin tarmes wood-eating worm
Also called white ant.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for termite
Contemporary Examples
What drew you to the theme and why did you choose to set Lark & Termite in the past, and not say, during the current Iraq War?
Lark & Termite (Random House) marks a critical comeback for Phillips.
Historical Examples
The different species of Termite are not equally industrious.
The Industries of AnimalsFrdric Houssay
No doubt, to his own mind, he had placed them near one of the termite highways.
The Raid on the TermitesPaul Ernst
This type of termite was armored more poorly than the others.
The Raid on the TermitesPaul Ernst
If you knew what you were talking about, you wouldn't dismiss the termite so casually!
The Raid on the TermitesPaul Ernst
I've never happened to be in termite country, though I've heard tales about them.
The Raid on the TermitesPaul Ernst
termite
- any whitish ant-like social insect of the order Isoptera, of warm and tropical regions. Some species feed on wood, causing damage to furniture, buildings, trees, etcAlso called: white ant
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Word Origin
C18: from New Latin termitēs white ants, pl of termes, from Latin: a woodworm; related to Greek tetrainein to bore through
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for termite
n.
1849, back-formation from plural form termites (1781), from Modern Latin termites (three syllables), plural of termes (genitive termitis), a special use of Late Latin termes "woodworm, white ant," altered (by influence of Latin terere "to rub, wear, erode") from earlier Latin tarmes. Their nest is a terminarium (1863).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
termite
[tûr′mīt′]
- Any of various pale-colored insects of the order Isoptera that live in large colonies and feed on wood. Termites resemble ants in their appearance, manner of living, and social organization, but are not closely related. Termites can be very destructive to wooden buildings and structures. Also called isopteran
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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