cicadas

1 definition found

cicadas - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cicada \Ci*ca"da\ (s[i^]*k[=a]"d[.a]), n.; pl. E. Cicadas
     (-d[.a]z), L. Cicad[ae] (-d[=e]). [L.] (Zool.)
     Any species of the genus Cicada or of the family
     Cicadidae. They are large hemipterous insects, with nearly
     transparent wings. The male makes a shrill sound by peculiar
     organs in the under side of the abdomen, consisting of a pair
     of stretched membranes, acted upon by powerful muscles. A
     noted American species (Cicada septendecim) is called the
     seventeen year locust. Another common species is the
     dogday cicada.
  
     Syn: cicala. [1913 Webster]