ˈāfə̇d also ˈaf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin Aphid-, Aphis
: any of numerous small sluggish homopterous insects (superfamily Aphidoidea) that suck the juices of plants thereby causing wilting, distorted growth, or gall formation, serve as vectors of certain important virus diseases of plants, and excrete as a by-product of their metabolism a sweet liquid very attractive to ants — see phylloxera , plant louse , woolly apple aphid ; compare aphididae , aphis