Standard Lemma guide

xylotomous

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

That bores or cuts into wood, as with certain insects.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • Real estate agents in the southern U.S. routinely handle questions about the presence of xylotomous insects, primarily termites.
  • Wooden structures in the tropics must be chemically treated to repel xylotomous pests.
  • Isopterophobia is the fear of termites or other xylotomous insects.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Ancient Greek ξύλον (xúlon, “wood”) + τομία (tomía, “cut”), from τέμνειν (témnein, “to cut”)

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: dřevožravý — that bores or cuts into wood