bug

bug¹ [bʌg] n

[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: Perhaps from bug 'evil spirit, scarecrow' (14-18 centuries)]

1.) informal an illness that people catch very easily from each other but is not very serious

catch/pick up/get a bug

▪ I picked up a bug last weekend.

▪ There's a nasty bug going round (=which a lot of people have caught) .

tummy/stomach bug

(=illness affecting your stomach)

▪ He's off work with a stomach bug.

▪ a 24-hour flu bug

2.) especially AmE a small insect

3.) a fault in the system of instructions that operates a computer

▪ a bug in the software

→↑debug

4.) a small piece of electronic equipment for listening secretly to other people's conversations

5.) informal a sudden strong interest in doing something

the travel/sailing etc bug

▪ She's got the travel bug.

▪ I had one flying lesson and immediately caught the bug (=became very interested in flying) .

bug ²

bug² past tense and past participle bugged present participle bugging

v [T]

1.) informal to annoy someone

▪ It just bugs me that I have to work so many extra hours for no extra money.

▪ The baby's crying is really bugging him.

2.) to put a ↑bug (=small piece of electronic equipment) somewhere secretly in order to listen to conversations

▪ Do you think the room is bugged?