thrips

[ thrips ]

noun

, plural thrips.

1. any of several minute insects of the order Thysanoptera, that have long, narrow wings fringed with hairs and that infest and feed on a wide variety of weeds and crop plants.

thrips

/ θrɪps /

noun

1. any of various small slender-bodied insects of the order Thysanoptera, typically having piercing mouthparts and narrow feathery wings and feeding on plant sap. Some species are serious plant pests

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrips¹

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek thríps (singular) woodworm

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrips¹

C18: via New Latin from Greek: woodworm

Example Sentences

Every frozen or fresh package of spinach can contain up to 50 aphids, mites, or thrips before the FDA labels it contaminated.

From The Daily Beast

No chance of thrips flourishing unsuspected in this house, nor of slugs following their horrid appetite from pot to pot unnoticed.

From Project Gutenberg

These little leaf-hoppers are often erroneously called thrips.

From Project Gutenberg

Thrips are readily controlled by means of nicotine-sulphate.

From Project Gutenberg

They are liable to the attacks of thrips and red spider, which do great mischief if not promptly destroyed.

From Project Gutenberg

Phwat wid two thrips wid th' rackets an' th' dhrag av th' wolf, 'twill not be bad.

From Project Gutenberg