holometabolous

[hol-oh-mi-tab-uh-luh s, hoh-loh-]

adjective Entomology.

undergoing complete metamorphosis.

Also hol·o·met·a·bol·ic

[hol-oh-met-uh-bol-ik, hoh-loh-] /ˌhɒl oʊˌmɛt əˈbɒl ɪk, ˌhoʊ loʊ-/.

Origin of holometabolous

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

Related formshol·o·me·tab·o·lism, hol·o·me·tab·o·ly, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for holometabolous

Historical Examples of holometabolous

Holometabolous: having a complete transformation; with egg, larval, pupal and adult stages distinctly separated.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith