termite — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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.

2. A contemptible person.

   Examples

   This two faced termite has the nerve to talk.

Verb

1. Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Noun

1. whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood

   Synonyms

   white ant

   Broader terms

   insect