termite

Etymology

From French termite, which is from Latin termites (three syllables), plural of termes. Also possibly a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *term- (“drill”).

noun

1. A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
   Linnæus describes this insect under the Latin name of Termes; and citizen Cuvier speaks of it under that of Termites. The vulgar call it by that of white ant, or fourmi vaguevague. The termites divide themselves into societies: each society builds itself a next, and each nest belongs to an innumerable quantity of these insects, who acknowledge for their chiefs a king and a queen. 1802, Francis William Blagdon, Modern Discoveries; or, a Collection of facts and observations, volume IV, page 162
2. A contemptible person.
   This two faced termite has the nerve to talk. 2019, Justin Blackburn, The Bisexual Christian Suburban Failure Enlightening Bipolar Blues, page 31

verb

1. (intransitive) Of a chimpanzee: to catch termites by inserting a stick or vine into their nest and waiting for them to climb up it.