■ noun
1》 informal a harmful microorganism.
↘an illness caused by a microorganism.
2》 Entomology an insect of a large order having piercing and sucking mouthparts, including aphids, leafhoppers, cicadas, and many other insects. [Order Hemiptera.]
↘ chiefly N. Amer. any small insect.
3》 informal an enthusiasm for something: they caught the sailing ~.
↘a concealed miniature microphone as used for secret recording.
4》 an error in a computer program or system.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ging , ~ged )
1》 conceal a miniature microphone in.
2》 informal annoy; bother.
3》 ( ~ off ) N. Amer. informal go away.
↘( ~ out ) leave quickly.
4》 ( ~ out ) N. Amer. informal bulge outwards.
Origin
C17: of unknown origin.