/ ˈtɜːmaɪt; NAmE ˈtɜːrm-/ noun
an insect that lives in organized groups, mainly in hot countries. Termites do a lot of damage by eating the wood of trees and buildings :
a termite colony
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from late Latin termes , termit- woodworm, alteration of Latin tarmes , perhaps by association with terere to rub.