cicada Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

plural E Cicadas L Cicadæ

(Zoöl.) Any species of the genus Cicada. They are large hemipterous insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a shrill sound by pecular organs in the under side of the abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species (C. septendecim) is called the seventeen year locust. Another common species is the dogday cicada.