lep·i·dop·ter·an
(lĕp′ĭ-dŏp′tər-ən)n. Any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths, characterized by four membranous wings covered with small scales and having larvae that are called caterpillars.
[From New Latin
Lepidoptera,
order name :
lepido- + Greek
ptera, pl. of
pteron,
wing, winged creature; see
-pter.]
lep′i·dop′ter·an, lep′i·dop′ter·ous adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
lepidopterous
(ˌlɛpɪˈdɒptərəs) adj (Zoology) relating to insects of the order Lepidoptera
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
lep•i•dop•ter•ous
(ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər əs) also lep`i•dop′ter•al,
adj. belonging or pertaining to the Lepidoptera, an order of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers, in the adult state having four membranous wings covered with small scales.
[1790–1800]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.