dipterous
[dip-ter-uh s]
- Entomology. belonging or pertaining to the order Diptera, comprising the houseflies, mosquitoes, and gnats, characterized by a single, anterior pair of membranous wings with the posterior pair reduced to small, knobbed structures.
- Botany. having two winglike appendages, as seeds or stems.
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Origin of dipterous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for dipterous
Historical Examples
Dipterous: belonging to or having the characters of Diptera.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
Setarious aristate: the dipterous antenna when the arista is simple.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
It is extremely susceptible to the attacks of a Dipterous parasite.
New Zealand Moths and ButterfliesG. V. Hudson
It moved, like other dipterous larv, by means of its mandibles.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. I (of 4)William Kirby
More than one expedition has failed on account of this dipterous fly.
Animal Parasites and MessmatesP. J. Van Beneden
dipterous
- Also: dipteran of, relating to, or belonging to the Diptera, a large order of insects having a single pair of wings and sucking or piercing mouthparts. The group includes flies, mosquitoes, craneflies, and midges
- botany having two winglike partsa dipterous seed
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Word Origin
C18: from New Latin, from Greek dipteros, from di- two + pteros wing
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
dipterous
(dĭp′tər-əs)- Of or characteristic of insects of the order Diptera.
- Having two wings or winglike appendages.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dipteran
[dĭp′tər-ən]
- Any of various insects of the order Diptera, characterized by a single pair of membranous wings, a pair of club-shaped balancing organs, and large compound eyes. Dipterans include the flies, mosquitoes, midges, and gnats.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.