Definition of 'moth'

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moth

(mɔθ

)

Word forms: plural moths

countable noun

A moth is an insect like a butterfly which usually flies around at night.

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moth

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moth in American English

(mɔθ )

nounWord forms: plural moths (mɔðz , mɔθs )Origin: ME motthe < OE moththe, akin to Ger motte < IE base *math-, gnawing vermin

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

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moth in American English

(mɔθ, mɑθ)

nounWord forms: plural moths (mɔðz, mɑðz, mɔθs, mɑθs)

any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, generally distinguished from the butterflies by having feathery antennae and by having crepuscular or nocturnal habits

2. See clothes moth

Word origin

[bef. 950; ME motthe, OE moththe; akin to G Motte, ON motti]

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moth in British English

(mɒθ

)

noun

any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera that typically have stout bodies with antennae of various shapes (but not clubbed), including large brightly coloured species, such as hawk moths, and small inconspicuous types, such as the clothes moths

Compare butterfly (sense 1)

Word origin

Old English moththe; compare Middle Dutch motte, Old Norse motti

Examples of 'moth' in a sentence
moth

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But not all become butterflies and moths.The culprit is the plum moth.The early morning brings perspective and small moths moving through flowers.There were few moths around flames.What did moths eat before?WHAT'S causing white sticky spots on my moth orchids?WHAT causes a fine web to form on the leaves of my moth orchid?WHAT are the white fluffy bits on my moth orchid?All hawk moths are chunky things with serious wings on them: they seem more like honorary birds than insects. Lime hawk moth moth is named after the hawk because it capable of powerful, long- distance flight.

Word lists with
moth

baby and young animals

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