moth

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noun \ˈmȯth\

: a kind of insect that is similar to a butterfly but that flies mostly at night and is usually less colorful

plural moths \ˈmȯthz, ˈmȯths\

Full Definition of MOTH

1

:  clothes moth

2

:  any of various usually nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies, and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars

— moth·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— mothy \ˈmȯ-thē\ adjective

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Origin of MOTH

Middle English mothe, from Old English moththe; akin to Middle High German motte moth

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

Rhymes with MOTH

broth, cloth, froth, sloth, swath, troth