thrips Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of various small to minute sucking insects with narrow feathery wings if any; they feed on plant sap and many are destructive
    thrip; thripid.

WordNet


Thrips noun
Etymology
L., a woodworm, Gr. .
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous small species of Thysanoptera, especially those which attack useful plants, as the grain thrips (Thrips cerealium). ✍ The term is also popularly applied to various other small injurious insects.

Webster 1913