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coleoptera

 - 4 dictionary results

Co⋅le⋅op⋅ter⋅a

  [koh-lee-op-ter-uh, kol-ee-]
Use coleoptera in a Sentence
–noun
the order comprising the beetles.
Origin:
1755–65; < NL < Gk koleóptera, neut. pl. of koleópteros sheath-winged, equiv. to koleo- (comb. form repr. koleón sheath, scabbard; see -o- ) + -pteros -pterous; term used by Aristotle in describing beetles

co⋅le⋅op⋅ter⋅on

  [koh-lee-op-ter-uhn, kol-ee-]
–noun, plural -ter⋅a  [-ter-uh] .
a coleopterous insect; beetle.

Origin:
1755–65; < NL < Gk: sing. of Coleoptera
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

coleoptera 
1763, from Mod.L., from Gk. koleopteros, lit. "sheath-wing," used by Aristotle to describe beetles, from koleos "sheath" + pteron "wing" (see petition).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: co·le·op·te·ra
Pronunciation: "kO-lE-'äp-t&-r&
Function: noun plural
1 capitalized : the largest order of insects comprising the beetles and weevils and being distinguished by a pair of forewings that are usually hard and rigid, are never used for flight, and serve as a protectivecovering for the delicate flight wings and the upper surface of the abdomen
2 : insects that are beetles —co·le·op·te·ran /-r&n/ noun or adjective —co·le·op·te·rist /-r&st/ noun —co·le·op·te·rous /-r&s/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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