What does "earwig" mean?
Earwig: (Zoöl.) In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus Geophilus. Note: Both insects are so called from the supposition that they creep into the human ear.
Additional senses
- 2.A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor. Johnson.
- 3.To influence, or attempt to influence, by whispered insinuations or private talk. "No longer was he earwigged by the Lord Cravens." Lord Campbell.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00