bedbug

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From bed +‎ bug.

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbɛdˌbʌɡ/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

bedbug (plural bedbugs)

  1. A small nocturnal insect pest of humans, of species Cimex lectularius (common bedbug) and Cimex hemipterus (tropical bedbug) that feeds on the blood of humans during sleep.
    Fiona rapidly discovered that the hotel was infested with bedbugs.
    Synonyms: (obsolete UK slang) mahogany flat, (obsolete UK slang) Norfolk Howard, (slang) B-flat
    • 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 81:
      In Morocco, love philtres are composed of yolk of egg and bedbugs.
  2. Any similar insect of family Cimicidae, that feeds on the blood of humans and certain other warm-blooded animals.

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