Meanings
plural adelgids
- An insect of the genus Adelges.
For this reason, it is important that adelgid-free planting stock be used.
1939, Samuel Alexander Graham, Principles of Forest Entomology, page 3152 more examples
Since the adelgid did not attack red spruce or hardwoods, its impact on the timber industry would be minimal.
2003, Timothy Silver, Mount Mitchell and the Black Mountains, page 238Severe winter cold helps reduce adelgid populations and slow their spread, so the recent trend toward relatively mild winters is actually facilitating the adelgid onslaught.
2004, Geoffrey A. Hammerson, Connecticut Wildlife, page 232
Origin
- Ancient Greek*ἀδελγεῖν“to suck”
- New LatinAdelges
- Englishadelgid
Borrowed from New Latin Adelges + -id, first attested in 1928. The Latin term is adapted from a purported Ancient Greek *ἀδελγεῖν (*adelgeîn, “to suck”), which is unattested; it is likely there was some confusion with ἀμελγεῖν (amelgeîn, “to milk, to suck up moisture, to drink”). Compare French adelge.
More words from New Latin, Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
adelgid. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adelgid
“adelgid.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adelgid. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “adelgid,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/adelgid.
Source: adelgid on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.