Ant \Ant\, n. [OE. ante, amete, emete, AS. [ae]mete akin to G.
ameise. Cf. Emmet.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A hymenopterous insect of the Linn[ae]an genus Formica,
which is now made a family of several genera; an emmet; a
pismire.
Note: Among ants, as among bees, there are neuter or working
ants, besides the males and females; the former are
without wings. Ants live together in swarms, usually
raising hillocks of earth, variously chambered within,
where they maintain a perfect system of order, store
their provisions, and nurture their young. There are
many species, with diverse habits, as agricultural
ants, carpenter ants, honey ants, foraging ants, amazon
ants, etc. The white ants or Termites belong to the
Neuroptera.
Ant bird (Zo["o]l.), one of a very extensive group of South
American birds (Formicariid[ae]), which live on ants.
The family includes many species, some of which are called
ant shrikes, ant thrushes, and ant wrens.
Ant rice (Bot.), a species of grass (Aristida oligantha)
cultivated by the agricultural ants of Texas for the sake
of its seed.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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-ant \-ant\ [F. -ant, fr. L. -antem or -entem, the pr. p.
ending; also sometimes directly from L. -antem.]
A suffix sometimes marking the agent for action; as,
merchant, covenant, servant, pleasant, etc. Cf. -ent.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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