lepidopteran

[ lep-i-dop-ter-uhn ]

/ ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər ən /

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adjective

lepidopterous.

noun

a lepidopterous insect.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of lepidopteran

First recorded in 1850–55; Lepidopter(a) + -an

OTHER WORDS FROM lepidopteran

non·lep·i·dop·ter·an, adjective, noun

Words nearby lepidopteran

leper house, lepido-, lepidocrocite, lepidolite, Lepidoptera, lepidopteran, lepidopterist, lepidopterology, lepidopteron, lepidopterous, lepidosiren

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for lepidopteran

lepidopteran

/ (ˌlɛpɪˈdɒptərən) /

noun Also: lepidopteron plural -terans or -tera (-tərə)

any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, typically having two pairs of wings covered with fragile scales, mouthparts specialized as a suctorial proboscis, and caterpillars as larvae: comprises the butterflies and moths

adjective Also: lepidopterous

of, relating to, or belonging to the order Lepidoptera

Word Origin for lepidopteran

C19: from New Latin lepidoptera, from lepido- + Greek pteron wing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for lepidopteran

lepidopteran

[ lĕp′ĭ-dŏp′tər-ən ]

Any of various insects of the order Lepidoptera, characterized by four large, flat, membranous wings covered with small scales. The larvae of lepidopterans are caterpillars. Lepidopterans include butterflies, moths, and skippers.