EARWIG

earwig. Earwig, n. a harmless insect, a whisperer

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Ear″wig′ (?), n. [[AS. eárwicga; eáre ear + wicga beetle, worm: cf. Prov. E. erri-wiggle.]] 1. 1. (Zoöl.) Any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera.
2. 2. (Zoöl.) In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus Geophilus.
☞ Both insects are so called from the supposition that they creep into the human ear. 3. 3. A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor. Johnson.