Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera that have elongated bodies, large membranous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen
A corruption of the Saxon ear-wicga (ear-insect); so called because the hind wings resemble in shape the human ear The word has engendered the notion that these insects are apt to get into our ears An earwig, metaphorically, is one who whispers into our ears all the news and scandal going, in order to curry favour; a flatterer "Court earwigs banish from your ears " Political Ballads Ease (Anglo-Saxon, eath; Latin, oti-um) At ease Without pain or anxiety Ill at ease Uneasy, not comfortable, anxious Stand at ease A command given to soldiers to rest for a time The "gentlemen stood at ease" means in an informal manner To ease one of his money or purse To steal it (See Little Ease )
Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera that have elongated bodies, large membraneous wings folded underneath short leathery forewings and a pair of large pincers protruding from the rear of the abdomen
any of numerous insects of the order Dermaptera having elongate bodies and slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of large pincers at the rear of the abdomen
An earwig is a small, thin, brown insect that has a pair of claws at the back end of its body. a long brown insect with two curved pointed parts at the back end of its body. Any of about 1,100 insect species (order Dermaptera) characterized by large membranous hind wings that lie hidden under short, leathery forewings. Species vary from 0.2 to 2 in. (5 to 50 mm) long, and all are flat, slender, and dark, with a shiny outer covering and simple biting mouthparts. Several species can shoot a foul-smelling liquid, formed in abdominal glands, as far as 4 in. (10 cm). Earwigs have a pair of forceps-like tail pincers (cerci) at the back end of the abdomen that may function in defense, capturing prey, folding wings, or fighting courtship battles