Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

white-ant

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.85 in modern English

Syllables: white-ant
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To bring down from within; to undermine.

Australian usage; Colloquial

Example Sentences

"The white-anting of ATSIC has been brought about by the usual suspects."
"If someone undermines you at work you might say they were "white-anting" you."
"The left was divided between the ALP Club, slowly being white-anted by supporters of the DLP, and a Labour or Socialist Club which disgraced the labour movement by its extremism."
"Plans for the Force 7 had officially been announced earlier in ′74, off the back of the P76′s Car of the Year award, before the shortages and poor quality control started white-anting it."
"He was always prepared to contest an open ballot, when he viewed runs on the leadership as a free-for-all, but never challenged an incumbent leader. In time, Peacock supporters would accuse Howard of white-anting Peacock′s leadership."
"In May 1947, Clark ‘debated’ Edmunds on ABC Radio, the topic: ‘Is communism white-anting our education system?’—a clear invitation for violent disagreement."

Etymology

From white ant (“termite”), suggesting the action of termites eating the inside of wooden building foundations, often leaving no outward evidence until the structure begins to crumble.

Usage

Inflected Forms

white-ants (present, singular) white-anting (participle, present) white-anted (participle, past) white-anted (past)

Questions

What does white-ant mean?: To bring down from within; to undermine.
Where does white-ant come from?: From white ant (“termite”), suggesting the action of termites eating the inside of wooden building foundations, often leaving no outward evidence until the structure begins to crumble.

How to pronounce white-ant

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