Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cicada \Ci*ca"da\ (s[i^]*k[=a]"d[.a]), n.; pl. E. {Cicadas}
   (-d[.a]z), L. {Cicad[ae]} (-d[=e]). [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any species of the genus {Cicada}. They are large hemipterous
   insects, with nearly transparent wings. The male makes a
   shrill sound by peculiar organs in the under side of the
   abdomen, consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted
   upon by powerful muscles. A noted American species ({C.
   septendecim}) is called the {seventeen year locust}. Another
   common species is the {dogday cicada}.