[in.sect] n [L insectum, fr. neut. of insectus, pp. of insecare to cut into, fr. in- + secare to cut--more at saw] (1601) 1 a: any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented b: any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings
2: a trivial or contemptible person -- insect adj