psocid

[ soh-sid, sos-id ]

noun

1. any of numerous minute winged insects of the family Psocidae (order Psocoptera), including most of the common barklice, having mouth parts adapted for chewing and feeding on fungi, lichens, algae, decaying plant material, etc., and occurring on the bark of trees and the leaves of plants.
2. any member of the order Psocoptera, comprising the booklice and barklice.

Other Words From

• pso·cine [soh, -sahyn, sos, -ahyn], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psocid¹

1890–95; < New Latin Psocidae, equivalent to Psoc ( us ) name of a genus (< Greek psôchos dust) + -idae -id ²