‖ Aphaniptera,n.pl.Zool.|æfəˈnɪptərə| [mod.L., f.Gr. ἀϕαν-ής unseen + -πτερος winged, f. πτερόν wing.] A small order of insects, in which the wings exist only as rudimentary scales. 1835Kirby Hab. & Inst.Anim. II. xx. 317 The Aphaniptera [Flea, Chigoe] are apterous and parasitic.