damselfly

[ dam-zuhl-flahy ]

noun,plural dam·sel·flies.
  1. 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.

Origin of damselfly

1
First recorded in 1805–15; damsel + fly1

Words Nearby damselfly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for damselfly

damselfly

/ (ˈdæmzəlˌflaɪ) /


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

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