saturniid

American

[suh-tur-nee-id] / səˈtɜr ni ɪd /

noun

any of several large, brightly colored moths of the family Saturniidae, comprising the giant silkworm moths.

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the family Saturniidae.

saturniid British

/ sæˈtɜːnɪɪd /

noun

any moth of the mainly tropical family Saturniidae, typically having large brightly coloured wings: includes the emperor, cecropia, and luna moths

"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

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Saturniidae

"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

Etymology

Origin of saturniid

First recorded in 1890–95, saturniid is from the New Latin word Saturniidae name of the family. See Saturnian, -id ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

OPPOSITE: Plate 12 from Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, showing a banana flower and young bananas, Maria also includes a saturniid moth with its caterpillar, cocoon, and pupa.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023