termite

/'tə:mait/

Thân thiện

A termite crawls across a piece of weathered wood.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A whitish, soft-bodied, ant-like social insect that feeds on wood. Termites live in large colonies and are known for causing significant structural damage to wooden buildings and materials.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old house had to be treated for termite infestation.
  • Termites are sometimes called "white ants" due to their appearance.
  • A single termite colony can contain millions of individuals.

Advanced Usage

• "Termite mound": A large, often intricate structure built by certain termite species from soil, saliva, and feces, serving as their nest.
  • The African savanna is dotted with towering termite mounds.
• "Termite damage": Structural harm caused by the feeding activity of termites.
  • The inspection revealed extensive termite damage in the floor joists.

Variants and Related Words

• Termitarium (n): A nest or colony of termites; a termite mound.
  • Scientists studied the complex internal structure of the termitarium.
• Termiticide (n): A chemical substance used to kill termites.
  • The pest control company applied a powerful termiticide around the foundation.

Synonyms

• White ant: A common, informal name for a termite, based on its pale color and social structure, though termites are not true ants.

Related Phrases

• "To have termites": To be infested with termites.
  • I'm afraid this wooden beam might have termites.
• "Termite-proof": Treated or constructed to resist termite attack.
  • They used termite-proof materials for the new construction.

Học thuật

Noun

1. whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood

Từ đồng nghĩa

• white ant