Word
moth
/ˈmɔθ/
Definitions
01insect
n. an insect like a butterfly that usually flies at night and is attracted to lights.
n. any nocturnal lepidopteran insect, typically distinguished from butterflies by stouter bodies, duller colouring, and feathery antennae.
“A large brown moth was fluttering around the lamp on the porch.”
“The researcher noted that several species of moth had evolved darker wing patterns to better camouflage themselves against soot-covered trees.”
03to hunt insects
v. to look for or collect moths, usually for science or as a hobby.
v. to search for, observe, or collect moths, typically as an entomological pursuit.
“We spent the warm summer evening mothing in the local woods.”
“The biology students spent the weekend mothing near the lake to catalogue the local biodiversity for their final project.”
Technical
Usage
The verb is intransitive and often used in the progressive form to describe the activity.
Real-World Examples
“The lights around the building, including the huge Australian flag, attracted the moths.” “This work opens up the possibility of using pheromone-based methods to control this moth.” “Animals and insects stay active for longer, exhausting themselves; night pollinators like moths lose their ability to see flowers.” Scan code
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