TERMITE

termite, white ant

(noun) whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

termite (plural termites)

A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.

Synonyms

• (white-bodied, wood-consuming insect): termes, white ant

Verb

termite (third-person singular simple present termites, present participle termiting, simple past and past participle termited)

(intransitive) Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.

Anagrams

• emitter

Source: Wiktionary

Ter"mite, n.; pl. Termites. Etym: [F. See Termes.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of numerous species of pseudoneoropterous insects belonging to Termes and allied genera; -- called also white ant. See Illust. of White ant.

Note: They are very abundant in tropical countries, and are noted for their destructive habits, their large nests, their remarkable social instincts, and their division of labor among the polymorphic individuals of several kinds. Besides the males and females, each nest has ordinary workers, and large-headed individuals called soldiers.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition