dipterous

[ dip-ter-uhs ]

/ ˈdɪp tər əs /

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adjective

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

1765–75; <New Latin dipterus<Greek dípteros;see Diptera, -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM dipterous

non·dip·ter·ous, adjective

Words nearby dipterous

Diptera, dipteral, dipteran, dipterocarpaceous, dipteron, dipterous, diptote, diptych, dipyramid, dipyridamole, diquark

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dipterous in a sentence

They are not to be found in the larv of many Dipterous insects, and perhaps in some species belonging to other orders.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
Claws nearly similar are found on the prolegs of some Dipterous larv, but not in any of those of the other orders.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
More than one expedition has failed on account of this dipterous fly.
Animal Parasites and Messmates|P. J. Van Beneden
Its food consists principally of gnats and other dipterous insects.
The Young Collector's Handbook of Ants, Bees, Dragon-flies, Earwigs, Crickets, and Flies|W. Harcourt Bath

The changes in question (Dipterous larv) go still further and are more profound.
Studies in the Theory of Descent (Volumes 1 and 2)|August Weismann

British Dictionary definitions for dipterous

dipterous

/ (ˈdɪptərəs) /

adjective

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

Word Origin for dipterous

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