hemimetabolous

[ hem-ee-mi-tab-uh-luhs ]

adjectiveEntomology.
  1. having the developmental stages of an incomplete metamorphosis: the numerous orders of hemimetabolous insects include those of aphids, crickets, cockroaches, dragonflies, and earwigs.

Origin of hemimetabolous

1
First recorded in 1865–70; hemi- + metabolous
  • Also hem·i·met·a·bol·ic [hem-ee-met-uh-bol-ik]. /ˌhɛm iˌmɛt əˈbɒl ɪk/.

Other words from hemimetabolous

  • hem·i·me·tab·o·lism, hem·i·me·tab·o·ly, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024