Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - insect

 noun  Etymology: Latin ~um, from neuter of ~us, past participle of insecare to cut into, from in- + secare to cut — more at saw  Date: 1601  1.  a. any of numerous small invertebrate animals (as spiders or centipedes) that are more or less obviously segmented — not used technically  b. any of a class (Insecta) of arthropods (as bugs or bees) with well-defined head, thorax, and abdomen, only three pairs of legs, and typically one or two pairs of wings  2. a trivial or contemptible person  • ~ adjective