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insectoid

insectoid

1 8.7
A creature that looks like an insect, often an alien in stories
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈsɛkˌtɔɪd/
translation icon : insectoide
  • The alien species were described as insectoid, with multiple limbs and a hard exoskeleton.

Examples

  • Besides, with the Jarada outside their tent, any noise they made would attract the insectoids' attention.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • By ones and twos, O'Brien locked on to the insectoids near the forest fire and beamed them to safety.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The blow upset the insectoid's balance and he fell, skidding to the bottom of the slope.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The insectoid gestured for Worf to accompany him through the door.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The extra pair of legs gave the insectoids a decided advantage in unarmed combat, making it much harder to push them off balance.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Before her doubts could solidify, a small tan-colored insectoid near the head of the line began twitching its head.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • If these insectoids wanted to test the prowess of a real warrior, then he was ready to oblige them.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • With a start, Picard realized that he had gotten used to the insectoids' odd, rolling gait.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The insectoid followed a twisting, circuitous path that soon had Riker completely disoriented.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Later, she heard loud yelling and the thunder of running claw-feet on hard ground as a group of the insectoids charged through the meadow.

    Fiction book (1992)

Surface Forms

insectoid singular
insectoids plural

Morphology

insectoid = insect (semi-transparent) = insect + oid

The word is built transparently from 'insect' plus the learned suffix '-oid' meaning 'resembling', but the suffix is somewhat technical for average learners.

Etymology

Insectoid is made from insect plus the ending -oid, with -oid meaning 'like' as in humanoid, so an insectoid is a creature that is 'insect-like', often used for aliens or fantasy beings.