Bombus
/ˈbɒm.bəs/noun
A genus of large, fuzzy bees known as bumblebees.
Did you know?Bombus is a classical Latinized name tied to the buzzing sound itself, and the same ancient sound-symbolism also helped shape words like 'bomb' and 'boom' through later expressive imitation.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
bombus
“a booming, buzzing, humming sound”
Late Latin
Latin
bombus
“a drone or buzz, especially the sound of insects”
16th Century
New Latin
Bombus
“the scholarly genus name applied to bumblebees”
Modern English
English
bombus
“the genus name for bumblebees”