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.

---

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

---

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

See Examples For:

geometrid

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

Scoria, skō′ri-a, n. dross or slag left from metal or ores after being under fire: a genus of geometrid moths:—pl.

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

Scorched′-car′pet, -wing, British geometrid moths; Scorch′er, anything that scorches, a very caustic rebuke, criticism, &c.: one who rides a bicycle furiously on a road; Scorch′ing.—p.adj. burning superficially: bitterly sarcastic, scathing.—adv.

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

Rivulet, riv′ū-let, n. a small stream, brook: a geometrid moth.—adj.

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

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

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson