The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
earwigging — n. small insect v. influence a person by secret communications … English contemporary dictionary
earwigging — earˈwigging noun (informal) A scolding • • • Main Entry: ↑ear … Useful english 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
Earwigged — 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 — Verb. To eavesdrop. E.g. If you heard things said about you that you didn t like, then you shouldn t be earwigging into conversations … English slang and colloquialisms
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
