Webster's English Dictionary

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insect

in.sect \'in-.sekt\ n [L insectum, fr. neut. of insectus, pp. of insecare 
   to cut in]to, fr. in- + secare to cut - more at SAW 1a: any of numerous 
   small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) t hat are more or 
   less obviously segmented 1b: any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as 
   bugs or bees) with well-defi ned head, thorax, and abdomen, only three 
   pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings 2: any of various 
   small animals (as earthworms or turtles)  3: a trivial or contemptible 
   person  - insect aj