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Lepidoptera

 - 4 dictionary results

Lep⋅i⋅dop⋅ter⋅a

  [lep-i-dop-ter-uh]
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–noun
the order comprising the lepidopterous insects.
Origin:
1725–35; < NL; pl. of lepidopteron

lep⋅i⋅dop⋅ter⋅on

  [lep-i-dop-ter-uhn]
–noun, plural -ter⋅a  [-ter-uh] .
any lepidopterous insect.
Origin:
< NL, equiv. to lepido- lepido- + Gk -pteron, neut. of -pteros -pterous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

lepidoptera 
1773, "insects with four scaly wings," the biological classification that includes butterflies, coined 1735 by Swed. botanist Carolus Linnaeus (Karl von Linné, 1707-78) from Gk. lepis (gen. lepidos) "(fish) scale" (related to lepein "to peel") + pteron "wing, feather" (see petition).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: lep·i·dop·tera
Pronunciation: "lep-&-'däp-t&-r&
Function: noun plural
1 capitalized : alarge order of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers that as adults have four broad or lanceolate wings usually covered with overlapping and often brightly colored scales and that aslarvae are caterpillars
2 : insects of the order Lepidoptera —lep·i·dop·ter·an /-r&n/ noun or adjective —lep·i·dop·ter·ous /-t&-r&s/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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