chinch
/tʃintʃ/
Definition
- Noun:
- A small insect that infests beds and feeds on blood: A chinch is a wingless bug, specifically of the species Cimex lectularius, that is a parasite on humans and other warm-blooded animals. It is typically active at night and hides in bedding, mattresses, and furniture during the day.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The old mattress was infested with chinch, causing itchy bites.
- Travelers are advised to check hotel beds for signs of chinch.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Literary Usage: The term "chinch" is an older or regional name, particularly in American English, for what is now more commonly and globally known as a bedbug. It may appear in historical texts or regional dialects.
- In the 19th-century journal, the pioneer complained about the chinch in the log cabin.
Variants and Related Words
- Bedbug (n): The modern common term for , synonymous with "chinch."
- Cimex lectularius (n): The scientific Latin name for the common bedbug.
- Infestation (n): A state of being overrun by pests such as chinch.
Synonyms
- Bedbug: The most direct and common synonym.
- Cimex: A technical term derived from the genus name.
Notes on Meaning
- The word chinch refers specifically to the blood-feeding insect. It is not used for other types of household pests like ants or cockroaches. Its use has declined in favor of "bedbug."
Noun
-
bug of temperate regions that infests especially beds and feeds on human blood
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