Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of cicada: The dog-day cicada is a species of cicada known for its loud, distinctive buzzing or "song" that is most commonly heard during the hottest part of the summer, typically in the months of July and August in North America. Its appearance is often associated with the "dog days" of summer.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The constant drone of the dog-day cicada is the soundtrack of a hot August afternoon.
  • We knew summer was at its peak when we heard the first dog-day cicada of the year.

Advanced Usage

• "The song of the dog-day cicada": A phrase used to specifically refer to the loud, buzzing sound produced by this insect.
  • The song of the dog-day cicada filled the humid air.

Variants and Related Words

• Annual cicada: A general term for cicadas that emerge every year, which includes the dog-day cicada. This contrasts with "periodical cicadas," which emerge in synchronized broods every 13 or 17 years.
• Neotibicen canicularis: The primary scientific name for this species.
• Harvest fly: A colloquial or folk name sometimes used for the dog-day cicada, stemming from its appearance around harvest time.

Synonyms

• Annual cicada: A broader synonym, as the dog-day cicada is a type of annual cicada.
• Summer cicada: A descriptive synonym highlighting its seasonal appearance.

Related Phrases

• Dog days (of summer): The hot, sultry period of summer between early July and early September, which is when this cicada is most active. The phrase originates from the ancient association of this time with the star Sirius, the "Dog Star."
  • The dog days are here, and so are the cicadas.

Notes

• The term "dog-day cicada" is a compound noun. The core definition and examples focus on the complete term as a single unit referring to the specific insect. It is not typically broken down into separate meanings for "dog-day" and "cicada" in this context.

Noun

1. its distinctive song is heard during July and August