/ ˈɪnsekt; NAmE / noun
any small creature with six legs and a body divided into three parts. Insects usually also have wings. Ants , bees and flies are all insects :
insect species
insect repellent (= a chemical that keeps insects away)
an insect bite
—see also stick insect
HELP NOTE : Insect is often used to refer to other small creatures, for example spiders, although this is not correct scientific language.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (originally denoting any small cold-blooded creature with a segmented body): from Latin (animal) insectum segmented (animal) (translating Greek zōion entomon ), from insecare cut up or into, from in- into + secare to cut.