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kissing bug

noun

  1. Informal.
    1. a person much given to kissing.
    2. an irresistible desire to kiss or be kissed.
  2. any of several assassin bugs that attack humans, sometimes inflicting painful bites.


kissing bug

noun

  1. a North American assassin bug, Melanolestes picipes, with a painful bite, usually attacking the lips or cheeks of man
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of kissing bug1

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900
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