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termite definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood [syn: termite, white ant]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: New Latin Termit-, Termes, genus of termites, from Late Latin, a worm that eats wood, alteration of Latin tarmit-, tarmes; akin to Greek tetrainein to bore — more at throw Date: 1781 any of numerous pale-colored soft-bodied social insects (order Isoptera) that live in colonies consisting usually of winged sexual forms, wingless sterile workers, and soldiers, feed on wood, and include some which are very destructive to wooden structures and trees — called also white ant

Britannica Concise

Any of 1,900 species (order Isoptera) of mostly tropical, social, cellulose-eating insects that are usually soft-bodied and wingless. Intestinal microorganisms enable them to digest cellulose. Termite colonies consist of a fertile queen and king (reproductives), workers (the most numerous), and soldiers (see caste). Kings are less than an inch long (1-2 cm), but a queen may grow to more than 4 in. (11 cm). Workers and soldiers are sterile and blind. They survive two to five years; reproductives may live for 60-70 years. Termites live in a sealed, humid nest in wood or underground. Underground nests may be built up into a mound. Periodically, alates (winged, sighted forms) develop and leave the nest to start a new colony. Termites eat chiefly wood. Soil-dwelling termites attack wood that is in contact with the ground; wood-dwelling termites, requiring less humidity than soil-dwellers, attack trees, posts, and wooden buildings.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. a small antlike social insect of the order Isoptera, chiefly tropical and destructive to timber. Etymology: LL termes -mitis, alt. of L tarmes after terere rub

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Termite Ter"mite, n.; pl. Termites. [F. See Termes.] (Zo["o]l.) 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.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(termites) Termites are small white insects which live in hot countries in homes made of earth. Termites do a lot of damage by eating wood. N-COUNT

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Termes, white ant.