ant
UK[ænt]US[ænt]
n
A small insect that lives in highly organized colonies, often seen moving in lines.
Etymology
The word 'ant' has a long and winding journey through the Germanic languages. It descends from the Old English word 'æmette', which itself evolved from the Proto-Germanic 'ēmaitijǭ'. This ancient root is thought to be a compound meaning "the biter off," from 'ai-' (off) and 'mait-' (to cut), referring to the insect's powerful mandibles. Over centuries, the form contracted through Middle English 'amete' and 'ante' to its current simple, monosyllabic form, 'ant', while retaining its core meaning of the industrious social insect.
Analysis
This is a simplex word. It is a single, unsegmentable morpheme in modern English.
Examples
An ant can carry objects many times its own body weight.
We followed a line of ants back to their nest in the crack of the pavement.
The picnic was invaded by a colony of tiny black ants.