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termite

termite

noun tehr-MEET Rare
Animals & Nature Insects

Origin: Latin termes (wood-eating worm)

Usage Note

Termite refers to the social insect that eats wood, causing structural damage to buildings. In French it is masculine (un termite), unlike English where the word has no gender. A colony is called une termitière (also the name for the mound). The adjective termitophile describes organisms that live alongside termites.

Examples

"Les termites ont envahi la charpente de la maison."

Natural Translation

Termites invaded the roof timbers of the house.

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