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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



665 words match “INSECT”

SQUIRREL n.
Flying. -- Squirrel shrew (Zoöl.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus Tupaia. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel. -- Squirrel-tail grass (Bot.), a grass (Hordeum jubatum) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a d…
STAG n.
party consisting of men only. [Slang, U. S.] -- Stag tick (Zoöl.), a parasitic dipterous insect of the family Hippoboscidæ, which lives upon the stag and in usually wingless. The same species lives also upon the European grouse, but in that case has wings.
STALK n.
The narrow basal portion of the abdomen of a hymenopterous insect.
STEMMA n.
One of the ocelli of an insect. See Ocellus.
STICK n.
cks laid crosswise, and cemented with clay or mud, as in some log houses. [U.S.] -- Stick insect, (Zoöl.), any one of various species of wingless orthopterous insects of the family Phasmidæ, which have a long round body, resembling a stick in form and color, and long legs, which are often held rigidly in such positions…
STIGMA n.
One of the external openings of the tracheæ of insects, myriapods, and other arthropods; a spiracle.
STIPES n.
The second joint of a maxilla of an insect or a crustacean.
STRAWBERRY n.
lite. (Bot.) See under Blite. -- Strawberry borer (Zoöl.), any one of several species of insects whose larvæ burrow in the crown or roots of the strawberry vine. Especially: (a) The root borer (Anarsia lineatella), a very small dark gray moth whose larvæ burrow both in the larger roots and crown, often doing great dam…
STREPSIPTERA n.
A group of small insects having the anterior wings rudimentary, and in the form of short and slender twisted appendages, while the posterior ones are large and membranous. They are parasitic in the larval state on bees, wasps, and the like; -- called also Rhipiptera. See Illust. under Rhipipter.
STRIDULATE v.
to make a shrill or musical sound, such as is made by the males of many insects.
STRIDULATION n.
or musical notes by rubbing together certain hard parts, as is done by the males of many insects, especially by Orthoptera, such as crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts.
STYLET n.
Any small, more or less rigid, bristlelike organ; as, the caudal stylets of certain insects; the ventral stylets of certain Infusoria.
STYLOPS n.
A genus of minute insects parasitic, in their larval state, on bees and wasps. It is the typical genus of the group Strepsiptera, formerly considered a distinct order, but now generally referred to the Coleoptera. See Strepsiptera.
SUBCOSTAL n.
One of the principal nervures of the wings of an insect. It is situated next beneath or behind the costal. See Nervure.
SUBIMAGO n.
A stage in the development of certain insects, such as the May flies, intermediate between the pupa and imago. In this stage, the insect is able to fly, but subsequently sheds a skin before becoming mature. Called also pseudimago.
SUBMENTUM n.
The basal part of the labium of insects. It bears the mentum.
SUBULICORNES n.
A division of insects having slender or subulate antennæ. The dragon flies and May flies are examples.
SUCKING a.
mp. See under Suction. -- Sucking stomach (Zoöl.), the muscular first stomach of certain insects and other invertebrates which suck liquid food.
SUNDEW n.
glands which secrete a viscid fluid that glitters like dewdrops and attracts and detains insects. After an insect is caught, the glands curve inward like tentacles and the leaf digests it. Called also lustwort.
SUSPICIOUS a.
l ever be suspicious; and no man can love the person he suspects. South. Many mischievous insects are daily at work to make men of merit suspicious of each other. Pope.
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