holometabolous

Also hol·o·met·a·bol·ic

[hol-oh-mi-tab-uh-luhs, hoh-loh-]

adjective

Entomology.

1. undergoing complete metamorphosis.

Other Word Forms

• holometabolism noun
• holometaboly noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of holometabolous¹

1865–70; holo- + Greek metabólos; metabolism, -ous

Example Sentences

A much more thorough appreciation than we yet possess of the phenomena in these cases is necessary in order completely to demonstrate the special characteristics of the holometabolous transformation.

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