holometabolous

American

[hol-oh-mi-tab-uh-luhs, hoh-loh-] / ˌhɒl oʊ mɪˈtæb ə ləs, ˌhoʊ loʊ- /

Also holometabolic

adjective

Entomology.

undergoing complete metamorphosis.

Other Word Forms

holometabolism noun
holometaboly noun

Etymology

Origin of holometabolous

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

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.

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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