moth en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /mɔθ/ (General-American)
- mŏth (cot-caught-merger)
- /mɒθ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- môth (General-American)
- (UK) audio
- /mɑθ/ (cot-caught-merger)
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree substratebor.? Proto-Indo-European *mat- Proto-Indo-European *-ḗn Proto-Indo-European *matḗn Proto-Germanic *maþôder. Proto-West Germanic *moþþā Old English moþþe Middle English mothe English moth From Middle English moth, moththe, motthe, moght, mohþe, mouȝte, from Old English moþþe, mohþe, mohþa, from Proto-West Germanic *moþþā, from Proto-Germanic *maþô ~ *muttaz (“insect, worm, maggot”), from Proto-Indo-European *mutn-, *mut- (“worm”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Motte (“moth”), West Frisian mot (“moth”), Dutch mot (“moth”), German Low German Motte, Mott (“moth”), German Motte (“moth”), Swedish mott (“moth”) and Norwegian Nynorsk mott (“moth”).
Meanings
-
Any flying insect of the order Lepidoptera not in the superfamily Papilionoidea, most species of which are nocturnal and can be distinguished from butterflies by feather-like antennae.
Earless ghost swift moths become “invisible” to echolocating bats by forming mating clusters close (less than half a meter) above vegetation and effectively blending into the clutter of echoes that the bat receives from the leaves and stems around them.
2013 May-June, William E. Conner, “An Acoustic Arms Race”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, pages 206–7:
- (figuratively) Anything that gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| moths | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
mothweed · moth flower · moth blight · micromoth · moth-eaten · moth wing · moth-like · like a moth to a flame · moth spot · bagmoth · moth ball · moth borer · moth hunter* · mothwort · mothlike · like a moth to the flame · Mothman · macromoth · mothicide · moth hawk* · moth-ball · moth-er · moth mullein · fishmoth · moth butterfly · mothed · mothwing · moth sphinx* · moth miller · moth patch · mothproof, moth-proof · mothball · moth freckle · budmoth · moth-time · mothless · mothy · moth plant* · moth fly* · moth-fretted, moth-fretten · moth lacewing · like a moth to flame · moth gnat* · mother#Etymology 5 · moth orchid* · moth midge* · moth-hunter
Hypernyms
lep · lepidopter · lepidopteran
Hyponyms
metalmark moth (Species of moths) · plum fruit moth (Species of moths) · brimstone moth (Species of moths) · ochre-winged hag moth (Species of moths) · currant moth (Species of moths) · concealer moth (Species of moths) · cotton leafworm moth (Species of moths) · light brown apple moth (Species of moths) · comet moth (Species of moths) · twirler moth (Species of moths) · tussock moth* (Species of moths) · cynthia moth (Species of moths) · gold moth (Species of moths) · cecropia moth (Species of moths) · hawk moth* (Species of moths) · Angoumois moth (Species of moths) · harnessed moth (Species of moths) · tapestry moth (Species of moths) · Mediterranean flour moth (Species of moths) · arcigera flower moth (Species of moths) · tropical warehouse moth (Species of moths) · sphinx moth (Species of moths) · southern flannel moth (Species of moths) · burnet companion moth (Species of moths) · Pernyi moth (Species of moths) · case moth (Species of moths) · pug-moth (Species of moths) · vine-moth (Species of moths) · cutworm moth* (Species of moths) · winter moth (Species of moths) · lappet moth (Species of moths) · clothing moth* (Species of moths) · wasp moth (Species of moths) · leafroller moth* (Species of moths) · brown-tailed moth (Species of moths) · flour moth* (Species of moths) · cacao moth (Species of moths) · owl moth* (Species of moths) · ficus tussock moth (Species of moths) · rice moth (Species of moths) · hawkmoth (Species of moths) · parsnip moth (Species of moths) · brown-tail moth (Species of moths) · chocolate moth (Species of moths) · rosy marsh moth (Species of moths) · webmoth (Species of moths) · regal moth (Species of moths) · potato moth (Species of moths) · scallop moth (Species of moths) · bogong moth (Species of moths) · webworm moth (Species of moths) · lichen moth (Species of moths) · owlet moth* (Species of moths) · ermine moth* (Species of moths) · moon moth (Species of moths) · sea moth (Species of moths) · cactus moth (Species of moths) · plume moth (Species of moths) · satin moth (Species of moths) · vaporer moth (Species of moths) · apple moth* (Species of moths) · bee moth* (Species of moths) · kitten moth (Species of moths) · almond tree leaf skeletoniser moth (Species of moths) · leek moth (Species of moths) · skiff moth (Species of moths) · peacock moth (Species of moths) · antler moth (Species of moths) · spongy moth (Species of moths) · leopard moth (Species of moths) · Sri Lankan tussar silk moth (Species of moths) · alder moth (Species of moths) · burnet moth* (Species of moths) · footman moth (Species of moths) · pantry moth (Species of moths) · summer fruit tortrix moth (Species of moths) · salt marsh moth (Species of moths) · Indian meal moth (Species of moths) · gipsy moth (Species of moths) · bell moth* (Species of moths) · hag moth (Species of moths) · wheat moth (Species of moths) · cup moth* (Species of moths) · silkmoth* (Species of moths) · bumblebee moth* (Species of moths) · witch moth* (Species of moths) · vampire moth (Species of moths) · raisin moth (Species of moths) · American chestnut moth (Species of moths) · clothes moth (Species of moths) · cork moth (Species of moths) · bag moth (Species of moths) · many-plumed moth (Species of moths) · hummingbird moth (Species of moths) · Mother Shipton moth (Species of moths) · mesquite looper moth (Species of moths) · night moth (Species of moths) · bud moth (Species of moths) · pale November moth (Species of moths) · imperial moth (Species of moths) · geometrid moth* (Species of moths) · short-cloaked moth (Species of moths) · lobster moth (Species of moths) · vine moth (Species of moths) · browntail moth (Species of moths) · rustic moth (Species of moths) · mesquite stinger moth (Species of moths) · European grapevine moth (Species of moths) · lackey moth (Species of moths) · bagworm moth (Species of moths) · sunflower moth (Species of moths) · tobacco moth (Species of moths) · io moth (Species of moths) · honeycomb moth (Species of moths) · white-fringed pyrausta moth (Species of moths) · unicorn moth (Species of moths) · teak moth (Species of moths) · leaf roller moth (Species of moths) · buck moth (Species of moths) · pasture day moth (Species of moths) · nun moth (Species of moths) · cinnabar moth (Species of moths) · autumnal moth (Species of moths) · swift moth (Species of moths) · acorn moth (Species of moths) · black moth* (Species of moths) · honeydew moth (Species of moths) · antbed parrot moth (Species of moths) · oleander moth (Species of moths) · South American bollworm moth (Species of moths) · drinker moth (Species of moths) · aspen leaf blotch miner moth (Species of moths) · carpet moth (Species of moths) · tiger moth* (Species of moths) · Y moth (Species of moths) · seed moth (Species of moths) · fox moth* (Species of moths) · cotton moth (Species of moths) · giant leopard moth (Species of moths) · miller moth* (Species of moths) · tree lucerne moth (Species of moths) · turpentine moth (Species of moths) · veneer moth (Species of moths) · waterlily leafcutter moth (Species of moths) · Pikachu moth (Species of moths) · plantain moth (Species of moths) · wine moth* (Species of moths) · northern scurfy Quaker moth (Species of moths) · corn moth (Species of moths) · Picasso moth (Species of moths) · currant-shoot moth (Species of moths) · grapevine moth (Species of moths) · polyphemus moth (Species of moths) · corn borer moth (Species of moths) · cabbage moth (Species of moths) · V moth (Species of moths) · pyralid moth (Species of moths) · pear leaf blister moth (Species of moths) · almond tree leaf skeletonizer moth (Species of moths) · web moth* (Species of moths) · swan moth (Species of moths) · Laysan hedyleptan moth (Species of moths) · processionary moth (Species of moths) · arge moth (Species of moths) · Indianmeal moth (Species of moths) · mint moth (Species of moths) · oak processionary moth (Species of moths) · death's head moth (Species of moths) · sequoia pitch moth (Species of moths) · satellite moth (Species of moths) · Oriental fruit moth (Species of moths) · cosmet moth (Species of moths) · grass moth (Species of moths) · crotalaria moth (Species of moths) · dart moth (Species of moths) · laced day-moth (Species of moths) · turnip moth (Species of moths) · Angoumois grain moth (Species of moths) · false owlet moth (Species of moths) · oriental leafworm moth (Species of moths) · Brahmin moth (Species of moths) · Atlas moth (Species of moths) · shipton moth (Species of moths) · diamondback moth (Species of moths) · flower moth* (Species of moths) · scribbly gum moth (Species of moths) · mesquite webworm moth (Species of moths) · webbing clothes moth (Species of moths) · Baphomet moth (Species of moths) · codling moth (Species of moths) · swallow-tailed moth (Species of moths) · olive moth (Species of moths) · dagger moth* (Species of moths) · sunset moth (Species of moths) · buff-tip moth (Species of moths) · goldtail moth (Species of moths) · box tree moth (Species of moths) · book moth (Species of moths) · day-moth* (Species of moths) · mouse moth (Species of moths) · luna moth (Species of moths) · rabbit moth (Species of moths) · Washington udea moth (Species of moths) · prominent moth (Species of moths) · orache moth (Species of moths) · goat moth (Species of moths) · ailanthus moth (Species of moths) · meal moth (Species of moths) · slug moth* (Species of moths) · codlin moth (Species of moths) · magpie moth* (Species of moths) · diamond-back moth (Species of moths) · Io moth (Species of moths) · wool moth (Species of moths) · Pandora sphinx moth (Species of moths) · burdock seedhead moth (Species of moths) · hawk-moth (Species of moths) · pea moth (Species of moths) · mill moth (Species of moths) · dot moth (Species of moths) · almond moth (Species of moths) · gooseberry-moth (Species of moths) · fungus moth (Species of moths) · gypsy moth (Species of moths) · yucca moth (Species of moths) · chestnut clearwing moth (Species of moths) · peppered moth (Species of moths) · emperor moth* (Species of moths) · peach fruit moth (Species of moths) · wax moth* (Species of moths) · snout moth (Species of moths) · ghost moth* (Species of moths) · herald moth (Species of moths) · giant peacock moth (Species of moths) · puss moth (Species of moths) · privet hawk moth (Species of moths) · royal walnut moth (Species of moths) · pitch moth (Species of moths) · silver moth (Species of moths) · litter moth (Species of moths) · arctic woolly bear moth (Species of moths) · yellow-shouldered slug moth (Species of moths) · gold-tail moth (Species of moths) · silkworm moth (Species of moths) · buffalo moth* (Species of moths) · common clothes moth (Species of moths) · November moth (Species of moths) · tomato moth (Species of moths) · clearwing moth (Species of moths) · black-arched moth (Species of moths) · geometer moth* (Species of moths)
Translations (163)
tg парвона (insect similar to a butterfly) · ka ღამის პეპელა (insect similar to a butterfly) · uk міль (insect similar to a butterfly) · he סָס (insect similar to a butterfly) · nl nachtvlinder (insect similar to a butterfly) · sc maniposa (insect similar to a butterfly) · nn møll (insect similar to a butterfly) · wyi tarr-ien (insect similar to a butterfly) · pl ćma (insect similar to a butterfly) · kw gòdhan (insect similar to a butterfly) · fr phalène (insect similar to a butterfly) · sq tenjë (insect similar to a butterfly) · tay kperay (insect similar to a butterfly) · it tignola (insect similar to a butterfly) · ur پتنگا (insect similar to a butterfly) · grc σής (insect similar to a butterfly) · fa مته (insect similar to a butterfly) · ca arna (insect similar to a butterfly) · id ngengat (insect similar to a butterfly) · mi pūrēhua (insect similar to a butterfly) · ja 蛾 (insect similar to a butterfly) · nb møll (insect similar to a butterfly) · nrf ange (insect similar to a butterfly) · chr ᏩᏐᏝ (insect similar to a butterfly) · mg samoina (insect similar to a butterfly) · ba көйә (insect similar to a butterfly) · kw tykki Duw nos (insect similar to a butterfly) · cy pryf y gannwyll (insect similar to a butterfly) · vo neitapab (insect similar to a butterfly) · sh лептирица (insect similar to a butterfly) · nv iichʼąhii (insect similar to a butterfly) · ms kupu-kupu (insect similar to a butterfly) · nn nattsvermar (insect similar to a butterfly) · bg нощна́ пеперу́да (insect similar to a butterfly) · hi परवाना (insect similar to a butterfly) · hy ցեց (insect similar to a butterfly) · fr papillon de nuit (insect similar to a butterfly) · sc babbaliscu (insect similar to a butterfly) · sv mal (insect similar to a butterfly) · ny balaula (insect similar to a butterfly) · de Motte (insect similar to a butterfly) · fa بید (insect similar to a butterfly) · km សត្វខ្មូត (insect similar to a butterfly) · de Nachtfalter (insect similar to a butterfly) · rgn faléna (insect similar to a butterfly) · shi fitllis (insect similar to a butterfly) · akk 𒌨𒈨 (insect similar to a butterfly) · es polilla (insect similar to a butterfly) · sl molj (insect similar to a butterfly) · eo tineo (insect similar to a butterfly) · vi ngài (insect similar to a butterfly) · rsk моль (insect similar to a butterfly) · da natsommerfugl (insect similar to a butterfly) · arz عتة (insect similar to a butterfly) · ary فرطوط (insect similar to a butterfly) · cy gwyfyn (insect similar to a butterfly) · fr mite (insect similar to a butterfly) · izh koi (insect similar to a butterfly) · pa ਪਤੰਗਾ (insect similar to a butterfly) · nrf cahuche (insect similar to a butterfly) · ceb anunugba (insect similar to a butterfly) · hu moly (insect similar to a butterfly) · es taraza (insect similar to a butterfly) · sl vešča (insect similar to a butterfly) · ar عُثَّة (insect similar to a butterfly) · hu éjjeli lepke (insect similar to a butterfly) · kk көбелек (insect similar to a butterfly) · vi bướm đêm (insect similar to a butterfly) · gl traza (insect similar to a butterfly) · da møl (insect similar to a butterfly) · sw nondo (insect similar to a butterfly) · cs noční motýl (insect similar to a butterfly) · wym myłm (insect similar to a butterfly) · be моль (insect similar to a butterfly) · gv lhemeen (insect similar to a butterfly) · ko 나방 (insect similar to a butterfly) · gd leòman (insect similar to a butterfly) · mn бүгэг эрвээхэй (insect similar to a butterfly) · la phalaena (insect similar to a butterfly) · nrf papillon d'niet (insect similar to a butterfly) · la papilio (insect similar to a butterfly) · mh babbūb (insect similar to a butterfly) · nb nattsvermer (insect similar to a butterfly) · tyz bỉ (insect similar to a butterfly) · uz moʻl (insect similar to a butterfly) · alt кӱйе (insect similar to a butterfly) · fi koi (insect similar to a butterfly) · mi pepe (insect similar to a butterfly) · lt kandis (insect similar to a butterfly) · ru ночна́я ба́бочка (insect similar to a butterfly) · et ööliblikas (insect similar to a butterfly) · ain ヘポラㇷ゚ (insect similar to a butterfly) · got 𐌼𐌰𐌻𐍉 (insect similar to a butterfly) · ur پروانہ (insect similar to a butterfly) · it camola (insect similar to a butterfly) · pdt Mott (insect similar to a butterfly) · pa ਪਰਵਾਨਾ (insect similar to a butterfly) · it falena (insect similar to a butterfly) · ryu 蛾 (insect similar to a butterfly) · mk мо́лец (insect similar to a butterfly) · sk moľ (insect similar to a butterfly) · pam kambubulag (insect similar to a butterfly) · arz ابو دقيق (insect similar to a butterfly) · hu molylepke (insect similar to a butterfly) · is mölur (insect similar to a butterfly) · ro molie (insect similar to a butterfly) · ota پروانه (insect similar to a butterfly) · hi पतंगा (insect similar to a butterfly) · nl mot (insect similar to a butterfly) · rif afarṭṭu (insect similar to a butterfly) · wym myłma (insect similar to a butterfly) · sc arna (insect similar to a butterfly) · fi yöperhonen (insect similar to a butterfly) · syc ܣܣܐ (insect similar to a butterfly) · cmn 蛾 (insect similar to a butterfly) · udi цӏецӏ (insect similar to a butterfly) · cs můra (insect similar to a butterfly) · fo húsvætti (insect similar to a butterfly) · tr güve (insect similar to a butterfly) · ga leamhan (insect similar to a butterfly) · sq ethëzë (insect similar to a butterfly) · tl gamugamo (insect similar to a butterfly) · gl couza (insect similar to a butterfly) · ast páxara (insect similar to a butterfly) · si සලඹයා (insect similar to a butterfly) · he עָשׁ (insect similar to a butterfly) · ttj ekihoiholya class 7 (insect similar to a butterfly) · yi מאָל (insect similar to a butterfly) · lv kode (insect similar to a butterfly) · oc arna (insect similar to a butterfly) · sv nattfjäril (insect similar to a butterfly) · pt mariposa (insect similar to a butterfly) · pl motyl nocny (insect similar to a butterfly) · id gegat (insect similar to a butterfly) · mt kamla (insect similar to a butterfly) · io tineo (insect similar to a butterfly) · it tarma (insect similar to a butterfly) · ota كوكه (insect similar to a butterfly) · ru мотылёк (insect similar to a butterfly) · lo ກະເບື້ອ (insect similar to a butterfly) · arq بوفرتوتو (insect similar to a butterfly) · sq zgjerbe (insect similar to a butterfly) · fa پروانه (insect similar to a butterfly) · ast poliya (insect similar to a butterfly) · th ผีเสื้อกลางคืน (insect similar to a butterfly) · ru моль (insect similar to a butterfly) · sc tacatia (insect similar to a butterfly) · sh leptirica (insect similar to a butterfly) · az güvə (insect similar to a butterfly) · el νυχτοπεταλούδα (insect similar to a butterfly) · qu puyu (insect similar to a butterfly) · kn ಚಿಟ್ಟೆ (insect similar to a butterfly) · tli tleilóo (insect similar to a butterfly) · gl avelaíña (insect similar to a butterfly) · ota فراشه (insect similar to a butterfly) · pt traça (insect similar to a butterfly) · sh moljac (insect similar to a butterfly) · mn цагаан эрвээхэй (insect similar to a butterfly) · eu sits (insect similar to a butterfly) · se muohcu (insect similar to a butterfly) · sh мољац (insect similar to a butterfly) · ka ჩრჩილი (insect similar to a butterfly) · la tinea (insect similar to a butterfly)