[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/moth/)

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# moth

noun (a moth, moths)

«moth» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An insect like a butterfly, usually with dull brown or grey wings, that mostly flies at night and is drawn to lights. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#m1)
2. A small moth whose young (larvae) eat holes in wool clothes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science, moths and butterflies are insects with four wings and a life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa (cocoon), adult. Most moths fly at night and rest with wings flat; many feed on nectar and are pollinators. Phrases: «like a moth to a flame», «moth-eaten».

### Examples

- A moth flew around the lamp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x1)
- Moths are attracted to light at night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x2)
- The caterpillar turned into a moth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x3)
- Moths ate holes in Grandpa's wool jumper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x4)
- Some moths are as colourful as butterflies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x5)
- Moths help pollinate flowers at night. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x6)
- For they saw at once that it was the great white Arctic moth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/#x7)

### Note

Countable: moths. Not «mouth»: one letter different. Myth: moths are not harmful to people; only some larvae eat clothes.

## In Jewish tradition

The moth stands for what is weak and passing. It eats clothes, so it pictures decay and how brief life is.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads the moth as a sign that people and their wealth do not last, while God and His word last forever.

### Examples

- Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten. (Writings JOB.13.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moth/#x1)
- He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth which the keeper maketh. (Writings JOB.27.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moth/#x2)
- Behold, they all shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up. (Prophets ISA.50.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moth/#x3)

### Note

Countable: moths. Not «mouth»: one letter different. Myth: moths are not harmful to people; only some larvae eat clothes.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «moth» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moth/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«moth» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/moth.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «moth» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moth/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«moth» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/moth.html) on Mova free.