termiteとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From French termite, which is from Latin termites (three syllables), plural of termes.

Also possibly a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *term- (“drill”).

発音

• (英国発音) IPA^(key): /ˈtɜː(ɹ).maɪt/
• 韻: -ɜː(ɹ)maɪt

名詞

termite (複数形 termites)

1. A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
   • 1802, Francis William Blagdon, Modern Discoveries; or, a Collection of facts and observations, vol. IV, page 162

     Linnæus describes this insect under the Latin name of Termes; and citizen Cuvier speaks of it under that of Termites. The vulgar call it by that of white ant, or fourmi vaguevague. The termites divide themselves into societies: each society builds itself a next, and each nest belongs to an innumerable quantity of these insects, who acknowledge for their chiefs a king and a queen.

2. A contemptible person.
   • 2019, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 31:

     This two faced termite has the nerve to talk.

同意語

• (white-bodied, wood-consuming insect): termes, white ant, wood ant

動詞

termite (三人称単数 現在形 termites, 現在分詞 termiting, 過去形および過去分詞形 termited)

1. (intransitive) Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.

Further reading

• termite on Wikipedia.

アナグラム

• emitter

Latin

発音

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈter.mi.te/, [ˈt̪ɛrmɪt̪ɛ]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈter.mi.te/, [ˈt̪ɛrmit̪e]

名詞

termite m

1. ablative singular of termes