lepidopteran

lep·i·dop·ter·an

L0124500 (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.

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[From New Latin Lepidoptera, order name : lepido- + Greek ptera, pl. of pteron, wing, winged creature; see -pter.]

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lep′i·dop′ter·an, lep′i·dop′ter·ous adj.

lepidopteran

(ˌlɛpɪˈdɒptərən) n, pl -terans or -tera (-tərə) (Animals) also: lepidopteron any of numerous insects of the order Lepidoptera, typically having two pairs of wings covered with fragile scales, mouthparts specialized as a suctorial proboscis, and caterpillars as larvae: comprises the butterflies and mothsadj (Zoology) of, relating to, or belonging to the order Lepidoptera[C19: from New Latin lepidoptera, from lepido- + Greek pteron wing]

lep•i•dop•ter•an

(ˌlɛp ɪˈdɒp tər ən)

adj. 1. lepidopterous. n. 2. a lepidopterous insect. [1850–55; New Latin Lepidoptera=lepido- + Greek pterón feather]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

lepidopteran - insect that in the adult state has four wings more or less covered with tiny scaleslepidopteron, lepidopterous insectinsect - small air-breathing arthropodLepidoptera, order Lepidoptera - moths and butterfliesbutterfly - diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wingsmoth - typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae

Translations

lepidóptero