Magicicada
- noun
- /ˌmædʒɪˈsɪkədə/
- Specialized
:
Magicicada
- The Magicicada emerges from the ground every seventeen years in some regions.
Examples
-
Researchers studied the mating calls of the Magicicada during its mass emergence.
-
Many people travel to see the remarkable event when Magicicada broods cover the trees.
-
The Magicicada emerged in my backyard this summer.
-
Have you ever seen a Magicicada before?
-
Many people travel to see the remarkable event when Magicicada broods cover the trees.
-
Researchers studied the mating calls of the Magicicada during its mass emergence.
-
The Magicicada emerges from the ground every seventeen years in some regions.
Synonyms
1
8.5
A North American insect that appears above ground in very large numbers every 13 or 17 years
A large noisy insect in North America that appears in big groups about every 17 years
Compounds
- Specialized
A North American insect that lives underground for many years and emerges in large numbers every 13 to 17 years
Surface Forms
Morphology
Magicicada = magic + cicada (semi-transparent) = magic + cicada
Both components 'magic' and 'cicada' are recognisable and suggest a 'magical cicada', but the term is a taxonomic genus name referring specifically to periodical cicadas, so the precise scientific meaning is not fully derivable by learners.
Etymology
Magicicada combines magic and cicada, and a helpful way to remember it is to imagine cicadas that appear like 'magic'. They come out in huge groups every 13 or 17 years, so the name fits their long, surprising cycle.