termite

What it means

1. A colonial insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea; typically known for certain white-bodied species that devour and infest wood, though other species eat different plant matter, such as grasses.

   1 more example

   Linnæus describes this insect under the Latin name of Termes; and citizen Cuvier speaks of it under that of Termites. The vulgar call it by that of white ant, or fourmi vaguevague. The termites divide themselves into societies: each society builds itself a next, and each nest belongs to an innumerable quantity of these insects, who acknowledge for their chiefs a king and a queen.

   1802, Francis William Blagdon, Modern Discoveries; or, a Collection of facts and observations, volume IV, page 162

   Synonyms: termes, white ant, wood ant

2. A contemptible person.

   This two faced termite has the nerve to talk.

   2019, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 31

In a sentence

Linnæus describes this insect under the Latin name of Termes; and citizen Cuvier speaks of it under that of Termites. The vulgar call it by that of white ant, or fourmi vaguevague. The termites divide themselves into societies: each society builds itself a next, and each nest belongs to an innumerable quantity of these insects, who acknowledge for their chiefs a king and a queen.

1802, Francis William Blagdon, Modern Discoveries; or, a Collection of facts and observations, volume IV, page 162

Where it comes from

1. Latintermes
2. Latintermitēs
3. Englishtermitesbf.
4. Englishtermite

Inferred singular of termites, the plural form borrowed from Latin termites, the plural of Latin termes (“woodworm”), which was used for termites by Linnaeus.