The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Cicada \Ci*ca"da\ (s[i^]*k[=a]"d[.a]), n.; pl. E. Cicadas
(-d[.a]z), L. Cicad[ae] (-d[=e]). [L.] (Zool.)
Any species of the genus Cicada or of the family
Cicadidae. 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 (Cicada septendecim) is called the
seventeen year locust. Another common species is the
dogday cicada.
Syn: cicala. [1913 Webster]