oriental cockroach
- noun
- /ˌɔːrɪˈɛntəl ˈkɒkrəʊtʃ/
- Informal
:
cucaracha oriental
- The oriental cockroach prefers damp and dark environments, making basements a common habitat.
Examples
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We discovered an oriental cockroach in the kitchen late last night.
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Pest control companies often get calls about the resilient oriental cockroach during the summer months.
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The oriental cockroach is often found in urban areas.
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Many people dislike the oriental cockroach for its appearance.
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The oriental cockroach is commonly found in kitchens, where it searches for food and moisture.
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During inspections, the exterminator pointed out that the oriental cockroach thrives in warm, humid conditions.
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In many parts of the world, homeowners frequently report sightings of the oriental cockroach in basements and crawl spaces.
Synonyms
140
1.0
A flat brown or black insect that comes out at night and lives in kitchens and houses
A large dark brown cockroach from Asia now found worldwide
A large dark brown cockroach from Asia now found in many places
A dark brown cockroach from Asia now found in many parts of the world
A dark brown or black cockroach that lives in houses worldwide
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a simple adjective + noun combination: 'oriental' (from the East/Asia) + 'cockroach' (a pest insect), so its meaning as a cockroach species originating from the Orient is directly derivable from the parts. This compositional pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand the MWE's basic meaning.
Etymology
The name oriental cockroach comes from the fact this type of cockroach was first noticed in Asia. Oriental means 'from the East' and cockroach is the insect, so the name literally says 'a cockroach from the East', which helps you remember it is a kind first found in Asia but now seen around the world.