Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

orthopterous

[awr-thop-ter-uh s]
adjective
  1. belonging or pertaining to the Orthoptera, an order of insects, including the cockroaches, mantids, walking sticks, crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids, characterized by leathery forewings, membranous hind wings, and chewing mouthparts.
Show More

Origin of orthopterous

First recorded in 1820–30, orthopterous is from the New Latin word orthopterus straight-winged. See ortho-, -pterous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for orthopterous

Historical Examples

  • The head is in form much like that of certain larvæ of Neuroptera and of Forficula, an Orthopterous insect.

    Our Common Insects

    Alpheus Spring Packard

  • Phyllium, fil′i-um, n. a genus of orthopterous insects of family Phasmid—leaf-insects or walking-leaves.

  • Now, come, let us look at all of our orthopterous friends again, cockroaches first.

    The Insect Folk

    Margaret Warner Morley

  • But I can tell you, we feel a little better acquainted with you orthopterous fellows than we did.

    The Insect Folk

    Margaret Warner Morley

British Dictionary definitions for orthopterous

orthopterous

orthopteran

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Orthoptera, a large order of insects, including crickets, locusts, and grasshoppers, having leathery forewings and membranous hind wings, hind legs adapted for leaping, and organs of stridulation
Show More
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