weevil etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: wivele (14th century), from Old English wifel (9th century)
  • The Old English word is likely related to the Proto-Germanic root wēbilaz (which also gave rise to German "Wibel"), ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷei-bʰ-, meaning "to move."

Meaning:

  • A small, snout-nosed beetle that typically feeds on plant material.
  • A person who is insignificant or contemptible. (figurative)

Origin:

  • The earliest known use of the word "weevil" in English dates back to the 9th century, where it referred to a type of beetle that infested stored grains.
  • The word has evolved over time, with its meaning expanding to include other types of beetles and figuratively to describe people.
  • In modern usage, the term "weevil" is commonly used to refer to any of a large number of species of beetles that belong to the family Curculionidae.

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