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stick insect
noun
: any of various usually wingless phasmid insects (especially family Phasmatidae) with a long cylindrical body resembling a stick
broadly
: phasmid
Examples of stick insect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As a result, boobies, shearwaters, petrels, and other seabirds have recovered, and island creatures from lizards to stick insects have reclaimed their homes.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 19 Sep. 2024
Snowshoe hares melt seamlessly into a wintry landscape, octopuses alter their skin color to match surrounding hues, and stick insects become indistinguishable from the twigs around them.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 9 Sep. 2024
Most stick insects drop eggs onto the ground while hanging from a branch; Lord Howe Island stick insects do this too, but for some reason, Eve preferred sand.
—Darren Incorvaia, New York Times, 28 May 2024
By as early as 1921, the rats wiped out the island’s stick insects.
—Darren Incorvaia, New York Times, 28 May 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1826, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near stick insect
Cite this Entry
“Stick insect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stick%20insect. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
stick insect
noun
: any of various usually wingless insects that have a long body resembling a stick
called also walking stick
More from Merriam-Webster on stick insect
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stick insect
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