Cicada

n.

1.

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

Noun

1.

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

Cicadidae, cicala, dog-day cicada, family Cicadidae, harvest fly, homopteran, homopterous insect, Magicicada septendecim, periodical cicada, seventeen-year locust