antings
|an-ting|
/ˈæn.tɪŋz/
(anting)
using ants on feathers
Etymology
'anting' originates from English, specifically the noun 'ant' plus the suffix '-ing', where 'ant' ultimately comes from Old English 'ǣmete' meaning 'ant'.
'ant' changed from Old English 'ǣmete' to Middle English 'ant', and the modern formation 'anting' developed in English by combining 'ant' with the verbal/nominal suffix '-ing' to denote the act or occurrence involving ants.
Initially 'ant' referred to the insect (Old English 'ǣmete'); over time the derived formation 'anting' came to denote the specific behavior involving ants and birds rather than the insect itself.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'anting': instances of a behavior in some birds in which they allow ants to crawl over their feathers or deliberately rub ants (or ant secretions) on their plumage, often to remove parasites, for preening, or for chemical protection.
Field notes recorded several antings among the sparrows this season.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/05 05:32