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sphinx moth

American  

noun

  1. hawk moth.


sphinx moth British  

noun

  1. another name for the hawk moth

"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 sphinx moth

First recorded in 1830–40

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.

See Examples For:

“Unless this is a sphinx moth caterpillar who has been stressed and agitated into displaying its osmeterium,” says Jackson.

From National Geographic Dec. 28, 2017

But I doubt you’ve heard of any World Wildlife Fund campaigns to protect the fabulous green sphinx moth, right?

From New York Times Oct. 21, 2017

He pointed at a black-and-green caterpillar, which before long would become a sphinx moth.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 12, 2017

Yet the adult, the Carolina sphinx moth, is the plant's preferred pollinator.

From Nature Feb. 28, 2017

I think the "worm" described by Maggie P. B. is the caterpillar of the willow sphinx moth.

From Harper's Young People, September 28, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly by Various

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