1. in-sĕco, cŭi, ctum, 1, v. a., to cut into, cut up (class.): aliquid dentibus, Auct. Her. 4, 49, 62: olivam acuta harundine, Col. 12, 47: corpora mortuorum ad scrutandos morbos, to dissect, Plin. 19, 5, 26, § 86: insecandi sunt favi, Col. 9, 15, 9: quod (subtemen) insecti pectine dentes, cut in, notched, Ov. M. 6, 58.
Hence, insectum, i, n. (sc. animale), an insect; plur., Plin. 11, 1, 1, § 1; 11, 28, 33, § 96 al.