holometabolous

[ hol-oh-mi-tab-uh-luhs, hoh-loh- ]

adjective

, Entomology.

1. undergoing complete metamorphosis.

Other Words From

• holo·me·tabo·lism holo·me·tabo·ly noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of holometabolous¹

1865–70; holo- + Greek metabólos; metabolism, -ous

Example Sentences

Holometabolous: having a complete transformation; with egg, larval, pupal and adult stages distinctly separated.

From Project Gutenberg