hemimetabolous

American

[hem-ee-mi-tab-uh-luhs] / ˌhɛm i mɪˈtæb ə ləs /

Also hemimetabolic

adjective

Entomology.

having the developmental stages of an incomplete metamorphosis.

the numerous orders of hemimetabolous insects include those of aphids, crickets, cockroaches, dragonflies, and earwigs.

Other Word Forms

hemimetabolism noun
hemimetaboly noun

Etymology

Origin of hemimetabolous

First recorded in 1865–70; hemi- + metabolous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The oldest fossilized insects developed much like modern ametabolous and hemimetabolous insects—their young looked like adults.

From Scientific American

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023