The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
earwigged — n. small insect v. influence a person by secret communications … English contemporary dictionary
Earwig — Ear wig ([=e]r w[i^]g ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Earwigged} ([=e]r w[i^]gd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Earwigging} ([=e]r w[i^]g*g[i^]ng).] To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk. No longer was he earwigged by the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Earwigging — Earwig Ear wig ([=e]r w[i^]g ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Earwigged} ([=e]r w[i^]gd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Earwigging} ([=e]r w[i^]g*g[i^]ng).] To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk. No longer was he earwigged… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
earwig — I. noun Etymology: Middle English erwigge, from Old English ēarwicga, from ēare ear + wicga insect Date: before 12th century any of numerous insects (order Dermaptera) having slender many jointed antennae and a pair of cerci resembling forceps at … New Collegiate Dictionary
earwig — /ear wig /, n., v., earwigged, earwigging. n. 1. any of numerous elongate, nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, having a pair of large, movable pincers at the rear of the abdomen. v.t. 2. to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations.… … Universalium
earwig — noun a small elongated insect with a pair of terminal appendages that resemble pincers. [Order Dermaptera: many species.] verb (earwigs, earwigging, earwigged) Brit. informal eavesdrop. Origin OE ēarwicga, from ēare ear + wicga earwig (prob.… … English new terms dictionary
earwig — /ˈɪəwɪg/ (say earwig) noun 1. any insect of the order Dermaptera, characterised by the forceps or pincers at the end of the abdomen. These harmless insects were popularly supposed to injure the human ear. 2. Colloquial an eavesdropper; stickybeak …
earwig — ► NOUN ▪ a small elongated insect with a pair of terminal appendages that resemble pincers. ► VERB (earwigged, earwigging) informal ▪ eavesdrop. ORIGIN Old English, from are «ear» + wicga «earwig»; the insect was once thought to crawl into the… … English terms dictionary
earwig — n. & v. n. 1 any small elongate insect of the order Dermaptera, with a pair of terminal appendages in the shape of forceps. 2 US a small centipede. v.tr. (earwigged, earwigging) archaic influence (a person) by secret communication. Etymology: OE… … Useful english dictionary
ear|wig — «IHR WIHG», noun, verb, wigged, wig|ging. –n. 1. a slender insect somewhat like a beetle, found throughout the world. They have short, leathery forewings and forcepslike appendages at the end of the abdomen. Earwigs were once thought to crawl… … Useful english dictionary
