Wasp, n.

noun

(wŏsp), n. [A-S. wĭsp, wĭps, wesp, D. wesp, L. Ger. wepsc, wepske, O. H. Ger. wafsa, wefsa, M. H. Ger. wefse, N. H. Ger. wespe, Dan. hveps, vespe, Lith. wapsa, Lat. vespa, Gr. σφήξ.] (Entom.) An hymenopterous insect of the genus Vespa, allied to the hornet, and capable of stinging severely. The common wasp is V. vulgaris. The mouth is horny, the upper wings plicated, the abdomen joined to the thorax by a thread-like pedicle, and the sting concealed. Wasps construct combs, and rear their young in the cells.

An insect with a segmented body, long legs, and two pairs of wings.