white ant en · NOUN
Etymology
From white + ant, reflecting a superficial resemblance to the ant.
Meanings
-
(dated, informal) A termite.
White ants destroy living plants by removing the epidermal layers, effectively ‘ringbarking’ the subject.
1995, Bill Sheat, Gerald Schofield, Complete Gardening in Southern Africa, page 424:Our house was built on a hard ferruginous conglomerate, in order to be out of the way of the white ant, but they came in despite the precaution;[…].
2010, David Livingstone, “15: Conversations on Rain-Making”, in Roy Richard Grinker, Stephen C. Lubkemann, Christopher B. Steiner, editors, Perspectives on Africa: A Reader in Culture, History and Representation, page 246:The most important point in the work of the white ant remains to be noted. I have already said that the white ant is never seen.
1885 October, Henry Drummond, “The White Ant: A Theory”, in Popular Science Monthly, page 741:The most voracious cable-muncher in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of Australia is the termite, or white ant, which eats through both lead and polythene sheathings.
1971 June 3, “Technology Review: Spoiling the termite′s dinner”, in New Scientist, page 573:1990 December 13, Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard), page D.3, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am happy to hear that the hon. Member appreciates the fact that white ants cause a lot [of] destruction in his area. There is very little we can do about white ants.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| white ants | Number=Plur | lexicographic |