Definition

A small insect that has no wings and is related to the silverfish, often found in warm and moist areas of buildings, especially near heat sources like furnaces or boilers.

Example

The firebrat scurried across the floor near the furnace, looking for warmth.

Conversation

I found a little firebrat crawling near the heater yesterday.

Oh wow, those things are pretty common in warm places, right?

Yeah, I read they love to hang around boilers and stuff.

That's so interesting! I guess I need to keep an eye out for them.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Firebrat → The word is formed from "fire" (from Old English "fyr", meaning flame or heat) and "brat" (from Middle English "brat", meaning a child or a small creature). The term "firebrat" refers to a small creature associated with heat or fire, specifically a type of insect that thrives in warm environments.

Memory Tip

Think of 'fire' as something hot and 'brat' as a small creature or child. This helps you remember that a firebrat is a small insect that likes warm places.

Visually Confused Words