Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Epicauta

noun
Save Word
Ep·​i·​cau·​ta | \ ˌepəˈkȯtə \

Definition of Epicauta

: a cosmopolitan genus of blister beetles that feed on various cultivated plants as adults and that as larvae are predacious in egg masses or nests of insects

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 Epicauta

New Latin, from Greek epikautē, feminine of epikautos burned at the tip, from epikaiein to burn on the surface, burn at the top, from epi- + kaiein to burn

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Epicauta

Statistics for Epicauta

Cite this Entry

“Epicauta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Epicauta. Accessed 11 Jul. 2020.

Comments on Epicauta

What made you want to look up Epicauta? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

confabulate

Listen to the pronunciation of confabulate

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

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