Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
983,137,126 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

lightning bug

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
lightning bug
n.
See firefly.
Regional Note: Although firefly remains the literary and formal word, lightning bug is the term used by the majority of Americans for the slow-moving flying insect that flashes in the dark. Nearly 80 percent of those interviewed for the Dictionary of American Regional English volunteered lightning bug, while not quite 30 percent said firefly (including those who said both). Only in the northernmost states, especially New England, and along the Pacific coast, does firefly hold its own with lightning bug. Bug itself is nowadays an American term; since the 18th century, the British have preferred insect.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.lightning buglightning bug - nocturnal beetle common in warm regions having luminescent abdominal organs
firefly
beetle - insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
family Lampyridae, Lampyridae - fireflies
glowworm - the luminous larva or wingless grub-like female of a firefly
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Bugtime Adventures A Giant Problem--The David Story Produced by Lightning Bug Flix, 2005 DVD 694993002495, Animated, 25 min, $14.
Bugtime Adventures: A Giant Problem--The David Story by Tuns, Christina / Catholic Insight
I've watched a lightning bug flash inside the stomach of a toad for up to five minutes before [the insect] died," he says.
Worm fare by Crane, Cody / Science World
This undemanding, fast-paced novel offers an atmospheric Maine setting, a hero to root for, and, in Skiff's clipped narrative voice ("outside the shed is a swarm of lightning bugs shining like little stars in the tall grass.
Rodman Philbrick The Young Man and the Sea by Sieruta, Peter D. / The Horn Book Magazine
More results
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.