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insectile

insectile

1 7.5
Having the look or movement of a bug
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈsɛktaɪl/
translation icon : insectil
  • His helmet depicted some insectile god with large compound eyes and sawtoothed mouthparts.

Examples

  • The artist's sculpture was inspired by insectile forms, capturing their unique movement and structure.

  • You see, by 1881 his group had insectile flying machines.

  • Skittering, insectile motion at one end heralds the aliens, as two of them crawl rapidly along.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The insectile alien joined the group of Canterbury pilgrims, as the tourists liked to be called, just before the tour reached the Martyrdom.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Digit whirred and clicked as he scuttled out of his corner and balanced on his long insectile legs near the end of the bed.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The alien creatures had an insectile appearance, with shiny exoskeletons and multiple legs.

  • The sound of many small wings beating created an insectile rhythm in the quiet garden.

Synonyms

insectoid
vsinsectile
3 7.1

Looks like an insect with many legs and a hard body

focuses more on general resemblance including movement and behaviour
insectlike
vsinsectile
4.0

Having the look or movement of an insect

is identical in meaning but serves as an alternate form
insectival
vsinsectile
8.6

Relating to insects or their bodies and habits

refers more to direct resemblance in appearance or movement
insectan
vsinsectile
  • Specialized
8.9

Relates to insects such as ants or bees

applies more to resemblance or general insect characteristics rather than taxonomy

How Insect-Like

insectile
1 7.5

Surface Forms

insectile positive

Morphology

insectile = insect (transparent) = insect + ile

The adjective is a straightforward derivation from 'insect' with the adjectival suffix '-ile', meaning 'resembling or relating to insects'.

Etymology

Insectile comes from the word insect plus the ending -ile, which means 'like' or 'related to'. So insectile means 'like an insect', which is why we use it for things that look or move like insects.