Diptera - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dip·ter·a

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–noun

1.	the order comprising the dipterous insects.

2.	(lowercase) pl. of dipteron.

[Origin: 1810–20; < NL < Gk, neut. pl. of dípteros two-winged, equiv. to di- di-¹ + -pteros -pterous

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Diptera

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dip·ter·on

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–noun, plural -ter·a

Audio Help [-ter-uh] Pronunciation Key.

a dipterous insect.

[Origin: 1890–95; < Gk, neut. of dípteros; see Diptera

]

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

diptera
noun
a large order of insects having a single pair of wings and sucking or piercing mouths; includes true flies and mosquitoes and gnats and crane flies

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Diptera

Dip"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? with two wings, di- = di`s- twice + ? feather, wing: cf. F. dipt[`e]re.] (Zo["o]l.) An extensive order of insects having only two functional wings and two balancers, as the house fly, mosquito, etc. They have a suctorial proboscis, often including two pairs of sharp organs (mandibles and maxill[ae]) with which they pierce the skin of animals. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, their larv[ae] (called maggots) being usually without feet.

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