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Wasp vs Wisp - What's the difference?

wasp | wisp |

As nouns the difference between wasp and wisp

is that wasp is any of many types of stinging flying insect resembling a hornet or bee while wisp is a small bundle, as of straw or other like substance; any slender, flexible structure or group.

As a verb wisp is

to brush or dress, as with a wisp.

wasp

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (referring to the insect's woven nests). Compare Dutch (m), German (m), Danish (m).

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any of many types of stinging flying insect resembling a hornet or bee.
  • A person who behaves in an angry or insolent way, hence waspish.
    • (-)

    See also

    * *

    Etymology 2

    Originally an acronym for White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A member of the dominant American upper-class culture, a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

    • See also

    * cracker * honky

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    wisp

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small bundle, as of straw or other like substance; any slender, flexible structure or group.
    • A wisp of smoke rose from the candle for a few moments after he blew it out.
    A wisp of hair escaped her barrette and whipped wildly in the wind.
  • * Dryden
    • in a small basket, on a wisp of hay
  • A whisk, or small broom.
  • A will o' the wisp, or ignis fatuus.
  • * Tennyson
    • the wisp that flickers where no foot can tread

    Derived terms

    * will o' the wisp

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To brush or dress, as with a wisp.
  • (UK, dialect) To rumple.
    • (Halliwell)