n.
- A true bug.
- An insect or similar organism, such as a centipede or an earwig. See Regional Note at lightning bug.
- A disease-producing microorganism: a flu bug.
- The illness or disease so produced: "stomach flu, a cold, or just some bug going around" (David Smollar).
- A defect or difficulty, as in a system or design.
- Computer Science. A defect in the code or routine of a program.
- An enthusiasm or obsession: got bitten by the writing bug.
- An enthusiast or devotee; a buff: a model train bug.
- An electronic listening device, such as a hidden microphone or wiretap, used in surveillance: planted a bug in the suspect's room.
v., bugged, bug·ging, bugs. v.intr.
To grow large; bulge: My eyes bugged when I saw the mess.
v.tr.
- To annoy; pester.
- To prey on; worry: a memory that bugged me for years.
- To equip (a room or telephone circuit, for example) with a concealed electronic listening device.
- To make (the eyes) bulge or grow large.
bug off Slang.
- To leave someone alone; go away.
- To leave or quit, usually in a hurry.
- To avoid a responsibility or duty. Often used with on or of: bugged out on his partners at the first sign of trouble.
put a bug in (someone's) ear Informal.
- To impart useful information to (another) in a subtle, discreet way.
[Origin unknown.]
bugger bug'ger n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
