gryllus

noun

gryl·​lus
ˈgriləs
1
capitalized : a genus (the type of the family Gryllidae) of crickets once construed as including all known crickets but now restricted to certain typical Old World forms compare acheta
2
plural grylli
-iˌlī
[Latin] : a comic combination of animals or of animal and human forms in Greco-Roman glyptic art especially in intaglios

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, cricket, grasshopper, a kind of comic figure, from Greek gryllos Egyptian dance, performer of an Egyptian dance, comic figure, caricature

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near gryllus

Cite this Entry

“Gryllus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gryllus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!