Adjacent Words

Bug word definitions

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Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bug Bug, n. [OE. bugge, fr. W. bwg, bwgan, hobgoblin, scarecrow, bugbear. Cf. Bogey, Boggle.] 1. A bugbear; anything which terrifies. [Obs.] Sir, spare your threats: The bug which you would fright me with I seek. --Shak. 2. (Zo["o]l.) A general name applied to various insects belonging to the Hemiptera; as, the squash bug; the chinch bug, etc. 3. (Zo["o]l.) An insect of the genus Cimex, especially the bedbug (C. lectularius). See Bedbug. 4. (Zo["o]l.) One of various species of Coleoptera; as, the ladybug; potato bug, etc.; loosely, any beetle. 5. (Zo["o]l.) One of certain kinds of Crustacea; as, the sow bug; pill bug; bait bug; salve bug, etc. Note: According to present popular usage in England, and among housekeepers in America, bug, when not joined with some qualifying word, is used specifically for bedbug. As a general term it is used very loosely in America, and was formerly used still more loosely in England. ``God's rare workmanship in the ant, the poorest bug that creeps.'' --Rogers (--Naaman). ``This bug with gilded wings.'' --Pope. Bait bug. See under Bait. Bug word, swaggering or threatening language. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.