lepisma Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun type genus of the Lepismatidae: silverfish
    genus Lepisma.

WordNet

Le*pis"ma noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. peel, fr. , , a scale.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A genus of wingless thysanurous insects having an elongated flattened body, covered with shining scales and terminated by seven unequal bristles. A common species (Lepisma saccharina) is found in houses, and often injures books and furniture. Called also shiner, silver witch, silver moth, and furniture bug. also called silverfish. Eats sized paper and starched clothes

Webster 1913