Illustration of assassin bug
assassin bug
noun
: any of a family (Reduviidae) of bugs that are usually predatory on insects though some (such as a kissing bug) suck the blood of mammals
called also reduviid
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Known as an assassin bug, Sycanus uses its mouthpart to stab its insect prey, including the fire caterpillar, one of the most important pests of oil palm trees. 
Dyna Rochmyaningsih, Science | AAAS, 11 July 2019 Indiana has its fair share of scary pests, ranging from wasps, assassin bugs and stink bugs to more harmful critters, such as poisonous spiders. Andrew Clark, Indianapolis Star, 10 Oct. 2018 The bedroom reeks pleasantly of timbers, mildew, brick; the kitchen at night races with mice and assassin bugs; and in the pasture the cows moan and ruminate and gather under the shade of the trees to escape the withering sun. Christopher Ketcham, Harper's magazine, 24 June 2019 The assassin bug wears its victims' corpses on its back, where the cadavers act as both shield and camouflage. National Geographic, 23 June 2018 The assassin bug's deadly proboscis is both sword and siphon. smithsonianmag.com, 30 Sep. 2017
Dyna Rochmyaningsih, Science | AAAS, 11 July 2019 Indiana has its fair share of scary pests, ranging from wasps, assassin bugs and stink bugs to more harmful critters, such as poisonous spiders. Andrew Clark, Indianapolis Star, 10 Oct. 2018 The bedroom reeks pleasantly of timbers, mildew, brick; the kitchen at night races with mice and assassin bugs; and in the pasture the cows moan and ruminate and gather under the shade of the trees to escape the withering sun. Christopher Ketcham, Harper's magazine, 24 June 2019 The assassin bug wears its victims' corpses on its back, where the cadavers act as both shield and camouflage. National Geographic, 23 June 2018 The assassin bug's deadly proboscis is both sword and siphon. smithsonianmag.com, 30 Sep. 2017 Word History
First Known Use
1890, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
assassin bug
noun
as·sas·sin bug ə-ˈsas-ᵊn- 
: any bug of the family Reduviidae compare conenose
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- instrument landing system
- instrument panel
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- instrumental goods
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- instrumentalist
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- instrumentality
- instrumentalize
- instrumentally
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