dipterous
Americanadjective
-
Entomology. belonging or pertaining to the order Diptera, comprising the houseflies, mosquitoes, and gnats, characterized by a single, anterior pair of membranous wings with the posterior pair reduced to small, knobbed structures.
-
Botany. having two winglike appendages, as seeds or stems.
adjective
-
Also: dipteran. of, relating to, or belonging to the Diptera, a large order of insects having a single pair of wings and sucking or piercing mouthparts. The group includes flies, mosquitoes, craneflies, and midges
-
botany having two winglike parts
a dipterous seed
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of dipterous
1765–75; < New Latin dipterus < Greek dípteros; see Diptera, -ous
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.
Flabs: the lobes at the tip of the dipterous mouth:= labella; q.v.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Skippers: a popular term for Hesperid butterflies: the dipterous larva sometimes found in cheese and other provisions.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Pūpip′ara, a division of dipterous insects having pup� developed within the body of the mother.—adjs.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
Zimb, zimb, n. an Abyssinian dipterous insect, like the tsetse, hurtful to cattle.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
Johnston's organ: a complex nervous structure in the basal joint of dipterous antennae.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
