Cicada (s&ibreve_;kād&adot_;), n.; pl. E. Cicadas (-d&adot_;z), L. Cicadæ (-dē). [L.] (Zoöl.) Any species of the genus Cicada or of the family Cicadidae. They are large hemipterous insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a shrill sound by peculiar organs in the under side of the abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species (Cicada septendecim) is called the seventeen year locust. Another common species is the dogday cicada.
Syn. -- cicala. [1913 Webster]