wasp

noun \ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp\

: a black-and-yellow flying insect that can sting

Full Definition of WASP

: any of numerous social or solitary winged hymenopterous insects (especially families Sphecidae and Vespidae) that usually have a slender smooth body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers an often formidable sting, and that are largely carnivorous and often provision their nests with insects or spiders killed or paralyzed by stinging for their larvae to feed on — compare bee

: any of various hymenopterous insects (as a chalcid or ichneumon wasp) other than wasps with larvae that are parasitic on other arthropods

— wasp·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

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Illustration of WASP

Origin of WASP

Middle English waspe, from Old English wæps, wæsp; akin to Old High German wafsa wasp, Latin vespa wasp

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

WASP

noun, often attributive \ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp\

: an American whose family originally came from northern Europe and especially Britain and who is considered to be part of the most powerful group in society

Full Definition of WASP

sometimes disparaging

: an American of Northern European and especially British ancestry and of Protestant background; especially : a member of the dominant and the most privileged class of people in the United States

— Wasp·dom \-dəm\ noun, sometimes disparaging

— Wasp·ish \ˈwäs-pish, ˈwȯs-\ adjective, sometimes disparaging

— Wasp·ish·ness noun, sometimes disparaging

— Waspy \-pē\ adjective, sometimes disparaging

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Variants of WASP

WASP or Wasp \ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp\

Origin of WASP

white Anglo-Saxon Protestant

First Known Use: 1957

WASPISHNESS Defined for Kids

wasp

noun \ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp\

Definition of WASP for Kids

: a winged insect related to the bee and ant that has a slender body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk and that in females and workers is capable of giving a very painful sting

Medical Dictionary

wasp

noun \ˈwäsp, ˈwȯsp\

Medical Definition of WASP

: any of numerous social or solitary winged insects (especially families Sphecidae and Vespidae) of the order Hymenoptera that usually have a slender smooth body with the abdomen attached by a narrow stalk, well-developed wings, biting mouthparts, and in the females and workers an often formidable sting