First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
moth
noun \ˈmȯth\
: a kind of insect that is similar to a butterfly but that flies mostly at night and is usually less colorful
plural moths \ˈmȯthz, ˈmȯths\
Full Definition of MOTH
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: any of various usually nocturnal lepidopteran insects with antennae that are often feathery, with a stouter body, duller coloring, and proportionately smaller wings than the butterflies, and with larvae that are plant-eating caterpillars
— moth·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— mothy \ˈmȯ-thē\ adjective
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Origin of MOTH
Middle English mothe, from Old English moththe; akin to Middle High German motte moth
MOTH Defined for Kids
moth
noun \ˈmȯth\
plural moths \ˈmȯthz, ˈmȯths\
Definition of MOTH for Kids
: an insect that usually flies at night and has mostly feathery antennae and stouter body, duller coloring, and smaller wings than the related butterflies
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