neu·rop·ter·an
(no͝o-rŏp′tər-ən, nyo͝o-)n. Any of various insects of the order Neuroptera, having large eyes, chewing mouthparts, and wings with many veins, and including the lacewings and antlions. The order formerly included other groups, such as the dobsonflies.
[From New Latin Neuroptera, order name : Greek neuron, vein, tendon; see neuron + Greek ptera, pl. of pteron, wing; see -pter.]
neu·rop′ter·an, neu·rop′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.
neuropteran
(njʊˈrɒptərən) or neuropteron
n,
pl -terans,
-terons or -tera (
-tərə)
(Animals) any neuropterous insect
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
neu•rop•ter•an
(nʊˈrɒp tər ən, nyʊ-)
n. 1. any insect of the order Neuroptera, characterized by four net-veined wings: includes the lacewings and ant lions.
adj. 2. Also, neu•rop′ter•ous. belonging or pertaining to the neuropterans.
[1835–45; < New Latin
Neuropter(a), neuter pl. of
neuropterus nerve-winged (see
neuro-,
-pterous) +
-an1]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | neuropteran - insect having biting mouthparts and four large membranous wings with netlike veinsinsect - small air-breathing arthropod Neuroptera, order Neuroptera - an order of insects including: lacewings; antlions; dobsonflies; alderflies; fish flies; mantispids; spongeflies antlion fly, ant lion, antlion - winged insect resembling a dragonfly; the larvae (doodlebugs) dig conical pits where they wait to catch e.g. ants lacewing, lacewing fly - any of two families of insects with gauzy wings (Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae); larvae feed on insect pests such as aphids fish fly, fish-fly - similar to but smaller than the dobsonfly; larvae are used as fishing bait snakefly - predatory insect of western North America having a long necklike prothorax mantispid - insect that resembles a mantis; larvae are parasites in the nests of spiders and wasps |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
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