DictionaryRoot: eare
Old English
eare
ear, hearing organ
2 / 2
noun
earwig
EER-wig/ˈɪrwɪɡ/
A small elongated insect with pincers at its rear.
Etymology
The pieces literally name an “ear insect.” This reflects the ancient, widespread but false belief that earwigs entered people's ears, rather than a feature of their pincered bodies.