insect etymology

Etymology

The word "insect" is derived from the Latin word "insectum," which means "cut into" or "having a jointed body." This refers to the segmented exoskeleton that is characteristic of insects.

Meaning

Insects are a class of invertebrate animals that are characterized by:

  • A jointed exoskeleton
  • Six legs
  • Three body segments (head, thorax, abdomen)
  • Two antennae

Origin

The first insects evolved over 400 million years ago, during the Devonian period. They are thought to have evolved from crustaceans, sharing a common ancestor with lobsters, crabs, and shrimp.

Over time, insects have diversified into a wide variety of forms, occupying a wide range of habitats around the world. Today, there are over 1 million known species of insects, making them the most diverse group of animals on Earth.

insect relate terms

  • entomology

    Etymology The word entomology is derived from the Greek words ἔντομον énto

  • insect

    Etymology The word insect is derived from the Latin word insectum which means cut i

  • insectarium

    Etymology Insect arium Latin suffix for place of Meaning A place where

  • insect

    Etymology The word insect is derived from the Latin word insectum which means cut i

  • aquarium

    Etymology Latin aqua water arium place Meaning and Origin An aquarium is

  • mantis

    Etymology The word mantis comes from the Greek word mantis which means prophet or

  • boll

    Etymology The word boll has multiple etymological origins Middle English bolle

  • vermeil

    Etymology French vermeil Latin vermeculus diminutive of vermis a worm Meaning

  • cochineal

    Etymology and Meaning Cochineal pronounced ˈkoʊ tʃiː niːl is a scarlet dye prod

  • locust

    Etymology The word locust originates from the Latin word locusta which is derived fr

  • cricket

    Etymology The word cricket is derived from the Middle Dutch word krick e meaning

  • wing

    Etymology The word wing comes from the Old English word weng which likely originate

  • leaf

    Etymology The word leaf comes from the Old English word leaf which is derived from t

  • flea

    Etymology Middle English flea from Old English flēa from Proto Germanic flōhz fr