Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of insect: A cicada is a stout-bodied insect with large, transparent wings. The male cicada is known for producing a loud, continuous, high-pitched buzzing or droning sound using special drum-like organs called tymbals.

Usage

• The word "cicada" refers specifically to the insect itself. It is most commonly used when discussing nature, entomology, or describing the characteristic sound of summer in many regions.
• It is a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The loud drone of the cicada filled the hot afternoon air.
  • After spending years underground as a nymph, the cicada emerges to molt and become an adult.
  • We found an empty cicada shell attached to the tree bark.

Advanced Usage

• "Cicada years": Refers to the periodic emergence of certain cicada species, most famously the 17-year and 13-year cicadas.
  • The phenomenon of cicada years is a fascinating example of prime-number periodicity in nature.
• "Cicada song" or "cicada chorus": Describes the collective, often deafening, sound produced by many male cicadas.
  • The cicada chorus at dusk was almost overwhelming.

Variants and Related Words

• Cicala / Cigala (n): Archaic or regional variants of "cicada," now rarely used.
• Periodical cicada (n): A common name for cicadas of the genus , known for their long, prime-numbered life cycles (e.g., 13 or 17 years).
• Annual cicada (n): A common name for cicada species that emerge every year, though their individual life cycles are still multiple years long.
• Nymph (n): The immature, underground stage of a cicada's life cycle.

Synonyms

• Harvest fly: A regional/common name for certain cicadas.
• Dog-day cicada: A common name for some annual cicada species, as they emerge in the "dog days" of summer.

Related Phrases

• To emerge like a cicada: A metaphorical phrase describing something or someone appearing suddenly after a long period of absence or preparation.
  • The author emerged like a cicada after a decade of silence to publish a new novel.

Noun

1. stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched drone