pro·to·coleoptera \|prōd.(ˌ)ō+\noun plural Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from prot- + Coleoptera in some classifications: an order of extinct insects that are now usually regarded as belonging to the order Protelytroptera • pro·to·co·le·op·ter·an\-tərən\adjective or noun • pro·to·coleopteron\|prōd.(ˌ)ō+\noun-s • pro·to·coleop·terous\“+\adjective