cockroach
UK: ˈkɒkrəʊtʃ | US: ˈkɑːkroʊtʃ
n. a nocturnal insect with a flattened body, long antennae, and a shiny brown or black exoskeleton, often considered a household pest.
The word "cockroach" originates from the Spanish cucaracha, borrowed into English in the 17th century. Folk etymology later split it into "cock" (rooster) and "roach" (a type of fish), though neither morpheme reflects the insect’s biology. The false division stuck, creating the modern spelling. The Spanish term itself may derive from cuca (a caterpillar or grub) + the augmentative suffix -racha.
A cockroach scurried across the kitchen floor when I turned on the light.
Some species of cockroaches can survive for weeks without food.
She screamed after spotting a cockroach in the bathroom.
Cockroaches are highly resilient to radiation.
The apartment had an infestation of cockroaches due to poor sanitation.