noun
moth
MAWTH/mɔːθ/
A winged insect related to butterflies, usually active at night.
The moth rests on a twig with its patterned wings folded rooflike.
Etymology
The word inherited from Old English moððe was once used chiefly for the larva that devours woolen fabrics. Its usual reference shifted to the winged adult.
In context
insects respond to ultraviolet light far more than any other wavelength at night an ultraviolet source is a super stimulant to a moth these artificial moons make moths easy targets for predators like birds bats
More examples
- A moth circled the porch light.
- Several moths settled on the wall.
- The moth's antennae were feathery.
Forms
moth · moths
Similar words
- butterfly
- Usually has clubbed antennae and is active by day.
- caterpillar
- The immature stage rather than the winged adult.