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moth definition

moth (môt̸h)

noun pl. moths (môt̸hz, môt̸hs)

  1. any of various families of chiefly night-flying lepidopteran insects, similar to the butterflies but generally smaller, less brightly colored, and not having the antennae knobbed
  2. clothes moth

Etymology: ME motthe < OE moththe, akin to Ger motte < IE base *math-, gnawing vermin

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

moth Synonyms

moth

n.

miller, tineid, Heterocera (Latin); see insect.

Mothlike creatures include: carpet beetle, dermestid beetle, silkworm, gypsy, clothes, honeycomb, death's head, buffalo, lappet, luna, emperor, harlequin, deltoid, cabbage, tiger, lackey, ermine, plume.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

moth Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • speckle: The speckled footman moth is scattered throughout Europe south to the Mediterranean and North Africa, and east to Siberia.

Adjective modifier

  • pyralid: A late example of the pyralid moth Orthopygia glaucinalis was at the security lights.

Modifies a noun

  • caterpillar: Look out for round holes in tree trunks and sawdust, left by feeding goat moth caterpillars.

Noun used with modifier

  • burnet: The Slender Scotch is the first burnet moth to emerge each year.
moth usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

moth quotes

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

-Bible (NewTestament)

The moth's kiss, first! Kiss me as if you made believe You were not sure, this eve, How my face, your flower, had pursed Its petals up.

-Browning, Robert

   What brought the kindred spider to that height, Then steered the white moth thither in the night? What but design of darkness to appall?ö If design govern in a thing so small.

-Frost, Robert Lee

moth quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"moth." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/moth>

APA Style

moth. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/moth

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