moth
UK: mɒθ | US: mɔːθ
n. a nocturnal flying insect related to butterflies, typically with duller coloration and feathery antennae.
n. (figurative) something attracted destructively to a particular influence (e.g., "like a moth to a flame").
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The word "moth" traces back to Old English moððe, derived from Proto-Germanic muthô (compare Dutch mot, German Motte). Its deeper roots are uncertain but may link to Proto-Indo-European mū-, imitative of the sound of buzzing insects. Unlike "butterfly," which has a poetic folk etymology ("butter" + "fly"), "moth" retains a compact, ancient structure, reflecting its status as a core Germanic word for nocturnal insects.
A moth fluttered around the porch light.
The wool sweater was ruined by moth larvae.
He was drawn to danger like a moth to a flame.
Some moths mimic leaves to avoid predators.
She studied the moth’s wing patterns under a microscope.