pea moth

noun

: a small, dark, tortricid moth (Cydia nigricana synonym Laspeyresia nigricana) whose larva feeds in pea pods destroying the seeds and that is native to Europe and has spread to North America

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

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!