Stridulate

Pronunciation
/STRIJ-uh-layt/
Category
Behavior
Plural
Stridulations

Definition

To produce sound by rubbing or scraping body parts together.

Etymology

From Latin *stridere*, meaning 'to scrape' or 'make a harsh noise'.

Example

The male cicada stridulates to attract females.

Related Terms

Usage Notes

Stridulation is a common method of sound production in insects like crickets and cicadas.