damselfly

[ dam-zuh l-flahy ]

/ ˈdæm zəlˌflaɪ /

noun, plural dam·sel·flies.

any of numerous slender, nonstinging insects of the order Odonata (suborder Zygoptera), distinguished from the dragonflies by having the wings folded back in line with the body when at rest.

Nearby words

dampproof, damrosch, damsel, damsel bug, damselfish, damselfly, damson, damson cheese, damyankee, damão, dan

Origin of damselfly

First recorded in 1805–15; damsel + fly²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for damselfly

damselfly

/ (ˈdæmzəlˌflaɪ) /

noun plural -flies

any insect of the suborder Zygoptera similar to but smaller than dragonflies and usually resting with the wings closed over the back: order Odonata

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012