cicada

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: ci=ca=da

CIDE DICTIONARY

cicada, n. [L.].

 Any species of the genus Cicada or of the family Cicadidae. They are large hemipterous insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a shrill sound by peculiar organs in the under side of the abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species (Cicada septendecim) is called the seventeen year locust. Another common species is the dogday cicada.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

cicada, n. (also cicala) any transparent-winged large insect of the family Cicadidae, the males of which make a loud rhythmic chirping sound.

Etymology

L cicada, It. f. L cicala, It. cigala