dragonfly
any of numerous stout-bodied, nonstinging insects of the order Odonata (suborder Anisoptera), the species of which prey on mosquitoes and other insects and are distinguished from the damselflies by having the wings outstretched rather than folded when at rest.
Dragonfly, Military. a two-seat, twin-turbojet U.S. attack aircraft in service since 1967, armed with a Minigun and capable of carrying nearly 5700 pounds (2585 kilograms) of ordnance.
Origin of dragonfly
1regional variation note For dragonfly
Words Nearby dragonfly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dragonfly in a sentence
Many dragonflies zip through the air with their translucent wings painted in an array of dark spots and bands.
Climate change may rob male dragonfly wings of their dark spots | Jake Buehler | July 14, 2021 | Science NewsHeavy wing pigmentation can help dragonflies stay warm in chillier regions, but could be dangerous in hotter weather.
Climate change may rob male dragonfly wings of their dark spots | Jake Buehler | July 14, 2021 | Science NewsUsing a high-speed camera, she and her colleagues watched how the bats approached dragonflies stuck to leaves.
Here’s what bats ‘see’ when they explore the world with sound | Carolyn Wilke | October 29, 2020 | Science News For StudentsSuch thinking suggested bats wouldn’t be able to catch dragonflies.
Here’s what bats ‘see’ when they explore the world with sound | Carolyn Wilke | October 29, 2020 | Science News For StudentsAt night, when bats are out, dragonflies are “basically sitting in the vegetation hoping not to get eaten,” Geipel says.
Here’s what bats ‘see’ when they explore the world with sound | Carolyn Wilke | October 29, 2020 | Science News For Students
A Gnat and a dragonfly, with a great many of their relations, arrived about the same time with the Beetle.
The Butterfly's Ball | R.M. Ballantyne"Yes sir," dragonfly yelled to him from the rail fence where he was already half-way through.
Shenanigans at Sugar Creek | Paul HutchensPoetry and I stopped our game and yelled up to dragonfly to come on down and "play the winner," which meant either Poetry or me.
Shenanigans at Sugar Creek | Paul Hutchensdragonfly was still coming along not more than fifty feet behind us, with little Jim staying back with him.
Shenanigans at Sugar Creek | Paul HutchensI had to pass dragonfly's open window which was still open, on account of there was still some smoke in the room.
Shenanigans at Sugar Creek | Paul Hutchens
British Dictionary definitions for dragonfly
/ (ˈdræɡənˌflaɪ) /
any predatory insect of the suborder Anisoptera, having a large head and eyes, a long slender body, two pairs of iridescent wings that are outspread at rest, and aquatic larvae: order Odonata: See also damselfly
any other insect of the 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
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