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katydid
noun ka·ty·did \ˈkā-tē-ˌdid\
: a large green insect that looks like a large grasshopper
Full Definition of KATYDID
: any of various large green American long-horned grasshoppers usually having stridulating organs on the forewings of the males that produce a loud shrill sound
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Illustration of KATYDID
Origin of KATYDID
imitative
First Known Use: 1784
KATYDID Defined for Kids
katydid
noun ka·ty·did \ˈkā-tē-ˌdid\
Definition of KATYDID for Kids
: a large green American grasshopper with males that make shrill noises
Word History of KATYDID
Some people like to pretend that the sounds insects make are words. When a male katydid rubs his front wings together, it makes a rough noise. Some think it sounds as if he says, “Katy did, Katy didn't,” over and over. That is how the katydid got its name.
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