Earwig

Definitions

1. Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera that have elongated bodies, large membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen.
2. One who whispers insinuations; a secret counsellor.
3. A flatterer.

Equivalents

Examples

“"That's a fine young fellow," said the historiographer of earwigs, to an American who stood next him in the crowd.”

“The idea was probably strengthened by the earwig′s appearance, with a sharp, pincer-like appendage extending to the rear. However, earwigs are herbivores, and they are no more likely to enter⟳ an ear than are ants, bees, flies, or any other small insect. Even when earwigs do occasionally find⟳ their way into human ears, they cannot burrow their way through the skin and into the brain.”

“2002, Maurice Burton, Robert Burton, Nuthatch, entry in International Wildlife Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition, page 1762, Nuthatches search⟳ the crevices of bark at other times during the year for insects, including beetles, earwigs, flies and bugs, and they open⟳ galls (swellings in plants) to extract grubs.”

“2008, John L. Capinera (editor), European Earwig, Forficula auricularia, Linnaeus (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), entry in Encyclopedia of Entomology, page 1370, Adults can use⟳ the cerci in defense, twisting the abdomen forward⟳ over the head or sideways to engage⟳ an enemy, often another earwig. Earwigs are nocturnal, spending the day hidden under leaf debris, in cracks and crevices, and in other dark locations.”

“That gawdy earwig, or my lord your patron, Whose pensioner you are.”

CEFR level