noctuid

[ nok-choo-id, nok-too-id ]

adjective
  1. belonging or relating to Noctuidae, a family of moths whose larvae include the armyworms and cutworms: The caterpillars on these larch trees have a distinctive noctuid appearance.

noun
  1. Also called noctuid moth, owlet moth. any of numerous, often dull-colored moths of the family Noctuidae, the larvae of which include the armyworms and cutworms, and the adults of which have a distinctively structured metathorax.

Origin of noctuid

1
First recorded in 1875–80; from New Latin Noctuidae, from Noctu(a), a genus of European moths (Latin noctua “little owl,” probably noun use of feminine of noctuus (unrecorded), from noct-, stem of nox “night” + -uus, adjective suffix) + -idae -id2

Words Nearby noctuid

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How to use noctuid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for noctuid

noctuid

/ (ˈnɒktjʊɪd) /


noun
  1. any nocturnal moth of the family Noctuidae: includes the underwings and antler moth: See also cutworm, army worm

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Noctuidae

Origin of noctuid

1
C19: via New Latin from Latin noctua night owl, from nox night

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