geometrid

American  

[jee-om-i-trid] / dʒiˈɒm ɪ trɪd /

adjective

1. belonging or relating to the family Geometridae, comprising slender-bodied, broad-winged moths, the larvae of which are called inchworms.

   In one lowland rainforest, they recorded more than 400 geometrid species.

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noun

1. Also geometrid moth any moth of the family Geometridae, comprising slender-bodied, broad-winged moths, the larvae of which are called inchworms, including cankerworms and hemlock loopers.

geometrid British  

/ dʒɪˈɒmɪtrɪd /

noun

1. any moth of the family Geometridae, the larvae of which are called measuring worms, inchworms, or loopers

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Geometridae

Etymology

Origin of geometrid

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin Geometridae, from Geometr(a), a genus name ( see geometer; so called because the larva seems to measure the ground with its looping motion) + -idae -id ²

Example Sentences

H. viridis progresses by "looping" like a geometrid caterpillar.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

Looper: applied to geometrid and other caterpillars in which some or all the middle abdominal legs are wanting and which move by bringing tail to thorax and forming a loop of the intervening segments.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Scall′op moth, a name applied to several geometrid moths; Scall′op-shell, a scallop, or the shell of one, the badge of a pilgrim.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

How is this change brought about?Explain the protective coloration of the following: Dead-leaf butterfly, walking stick, geometrid larva.

From A Guide for the Study of Animals by Lucas, Frederic

Ringed′-car′pet, a British geometrid moth; Ring′-fence, a fence continuously encircling an estate, a limit; Ring′-fing′er, the third finger of the left hand, on which women wear their marriage-ring.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various