metagnathous

[ muh-tag-nuh-thuh s ]

/ məˈtæg nə θəs /

adjective

Ornithology. having the tips of the mandibles crossed, as the crossbills.

Entomology. having biting mouthparts in the larval stage and sucking mouthparts in the adult stage.

Nearby words

metafemale, metafiction, metagalaxy, metage, metagenesis, metagnathous, metagonimus, metaherpetic keratitis, metal, metal detector, metal fume fever

Origin of metagnathous

First recorded in 1870–75; meta- + -gnathous

Related forms

me·tag·na·thism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for metagnathous

metagnathous

/ (mɪˈtæɡnəθəs) /

adjective

(of the beaks of birds such as the crossbill) having crossed tips

Derived Forms

metagnathism, noun

Word Origin for metagnathous

C19: from meta- + -gnathous

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