SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

Cossus

noun
Save Word
Cos·​sus | \ ˈkäsəs \

Definition of Cossus

: the type genus of Cossidae including a number of moths the larvae of which were once highly esteemed as food and are still eaten by Australian aborigines — see witchetty grub

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Cossus

New Latin, from Latin, a kind of larva under the bark of trees; perhaps akin to Greek skedannynai to scatter

Learn More About Cossus

Dictionary Entries Near Cossus

Cossidae

Cossus

cossyrite

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for Cossus

Cite this Entry

“Cossus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cossus. Accessed 6 Jul. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

recidivism

Listen to the pronunciation of recidivism

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games