Ear″wig′ (?), n. [AS. eárwicga; eáre ear + wicga beetle, worm: cf. Prov. E. erri-wiggle.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any insect of the genus Forticula and related genera, belonging to the order Euplexoptera.
2. (Zoöl.) In America, any small chilopodous myriapod, esp. of the genus Geophilus.
☞ Both insects are so called from the supposition that they creep into the human ear.
3. A whisperer of insinuations; a secret counselor. Johnson.