metagnathous

[muh-tag-nuh-thuh s]

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.

Origin of metagnathous

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

Related formsme·tag·na·thism, noun

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British Dictionary definitions for metagnathous

metagnathous

adjective

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

Derived Formsmetagnathism, 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