earwig(n = noun.animal) - any of numerous insects of the order Dermaptera having elongate bodies and slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of large pincers at the rear of the abdomen;
is a kind of insect
is a member of dermaptera, order dermaptera
has particulars: common european earwig, forficula auricularia
1. Any insect of the genus
2. In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus
" Both insects are so called from the supposition that they creep into the human ear." [1913 Webster]
3. A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor. Johnson. [1913 Webster]
To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk. Lord Campbell. [1913 Webster]
earwig, n. & v.
--n.
1 any small elongate insect of the order Dermaptera, with a pair of terminal appendages in the shape of forceps.
2 US a small centipede.
--v.tr. (earwigged, earwigging) archaic influence (a person) by secret communication.
Etymology:
OE earwicga f. eare EAR(1) + wicga earwig, prob. rel. to wiggle: once thought to enter the head through the ear
VB flatter, praise to the skies, puff, wheedle, cajole, glaver, coax, fawn upon, faun upon, humor, gloze, soothe, pet, coquet, slaver, butter, jolly, bespatter, beslubber, beplaster, beslaver, lay it on thick, overpraise, earwig, cog, collogue, truckle to, pander to, pandar to, suck up to, kiss the ass of, pay court to, court, creep into the good graces of, curry favor with, hang on the sleeve of, fool to the top of one's bent, lick the dust, lay the flattering unction to one's soul, gild the pill, make things pleasant, overestimate, exaggerate.
N flatterer, adulator, eulogist, euphemist, optimist, encomiast, laudator, whitewasher, toady, toadeater, sycophant, courtier, Sir Pertinax MacSycophant, flaneur, proneur, puffer, touter, claqueur, clawback, earwig, doer of dirty work, parasite, hanger-on, yes-man, suckup, ass-kisser, brown-noser, teacher's pet, pessimum genus inimicorum laudantes.