Vesp
/vɛsp/noun
An archaic or dialectal English word for a wasp.
Did you know?Vesp is closely connected to Latin vespa, the source of the scientific wasp family name Vespidae, whose members include hornets and yellowjackets.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wopsā
“A wasp; the reconstructed ancient name for the stinging insect.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*waspō
“Wasp; the Germanic form that developed into English wasp.”
Old English
Old English
wæfs / wæsp
“Wasp; an insect noted for its sting.”
Classical Latin
Latin
vespa
“Wasp.”
16th–17th Century
English
vesp
“An archaic or dialectal English form meaning wasp, likely preserved or revived through learned Latin influence.”
Modern English
English
vesp
“A rare archaic or dialectal term for a wasp.”