termite

[ tur-mahyt ]

/ ˈtɜr maɪt /

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noun

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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Also called white ant.

Origin of termite

1775–85; taken as singular of New Latin termites, plural of termes white ant, Latin tarmes wood-eating worm

Words nearby termite

terminus, terminus ad quem, terminus a quo, termitarium, termitary, termite, termitic, termiting, termless, term life insurance, term limit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use termite in a sentence

Inside it, various members of the termite colony perform different tasks.
These ferns may be first plants known to work together as ants do|Jake Buehler|July 1, 2021|Science News For Students
If you think you have termites or bedbugs, it’s especially important to get multiple proposals.
Many companies advertise ‘green’ pest control. But is it possible? And does it work?|Kevin Brasler | Washington Consumers' Checkbook|April 8, 2021|Washington Post
These subterranean termites native to East Asia have spread around the globe via trade.
These are the 5 costliest invasive species, causing billions in damages|Jonathan Lambert|March 31, 2021|Science News
Naked mole-rat groups seem more like ant or termite colonies than mammal societies.
Unique dialects help naked mole-rats tell friends from foes|Jonathan Lambert|February 24, 2021|Science News For Students

A couple of years ago, a network of termite mounds in Brazil was discovered that is as large as Great Britain.
A Scientist Who Delights in the Mundane|Steve Nadis|October 26, 2020|Quanta Magazine
It turns out, however, that Adamo's pieces are very closely based on real termite mounds.
Artist as Ant|Blake Gopnik|October 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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?
Jayne Anne Phillips Goes to War|Lizzie Stark|March 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Lark & Termite (Random House) marks a critical comeback for Phillips.
Jayne Anne Phillips Goes to War|Lizzie Stark|March 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Its faceted termite eyes were expressionless diamonds, but the antennae gleamed a desperate saffron.
Exploiter's End|James Causey
I killed her legitimate consort and substituted my own candidate after having anointed him with the genuine termite smell.
The Brain|Alexander Blade
In many of the ant and termite colonies still greater differences exist between the different sets of individuals.
The Biological Problem of To-day|Oscar Hertwig
White′-alloy′, a cheap alloy used to imitate silver; White′-ant, a termite.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
Nasuti: that type of termite soldiers that have the head prolonged into a point.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for termite

termite

/ (ˈtɜːmaɪt) /

noun

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

Derived forms of termite

termitic (tɜːˈmɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for termite

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for termite

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

termite

Origin of termite

Words nearby termite

Words related to termite

How to use termite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for termite

Derived forms of termite

Word Origin for termite

Scientific definitions for termite