Coleoptera
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of Coleoptera
1755–65; < New Latin < Greek koleóptera, neuter plural of koleópteros sheath-winged, equivalent to koleo- (combining form representing koleón sheath, scabbard; -o- ) + -pteros -pterous; term used by Aristotle in describing beetles
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Across North America, there are an estimated 170 fireflies species, which are technically beetles in the order Coleoptera, but inventorying them is a challenge.
From Salon • Sep. 21, 2023
And the order Coleoptera couldn’t ask for a better Boswell than Durin.
From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2013
The Coleoptera order, where beetles reside, has more species than any other order: it takes an encyclopedic knowledge to know beetles well.
From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2012
Larvæ, especially of Coleoptera, found in the earth or in decayed wood, should be placed in a box filled with such earth or wood, so as to prevent shaking or rattling about.
From Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects by Riley, C. V.
Next to the Lepidoptera, the Coleoptera are, perhaps, most familiar to the popular mind.
From Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects by Riley, C. V.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
