metagnathous

[muh-tag-nuh-thuhs]

adjective

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

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

metagnathous

/ mɪˈtæɡnəθəs /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• metagnathism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of metagnathous¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of metagnathous¹

C19: from _meta- + _-gnathous