apterous

[ ap-ter-uhs ]

adjective

1. Zoology. wingless, as some insects.
2. Botany. without membranous expansions, as a stem.

apterous

/ ˈæptərəs /

adjective

1. (of insects) without wings, as silverfish and springtails
2. without winglike expansions, as some plant stems, seeds, and fruits

Derived Forms

• ˈapterˌism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apterous¹

First recorded in 1765–75, apterous is from the Greek word ápteros wingless. See a- ⁶, -pterous

Word History and Origins

Origin of apterous¹

C18: from Greek apteros wingless, from a- ¹+ pteron wing

Example Sentences

The insect is a trifle more robust than its ordinary European representatives, and it is invariably apterous.

From Project Gutenberg

It has long been known, indeed, that there are species in which certain individuals remain always apterous, while others acquire wings.

From Project Gutenberg

All fruit and forest trees suffer from these curious insects, which in the female sex always remain apterous and apodal and live attached to the bark, leaf and fruit, hidden beneath variously formed scale-like coverings.

From Project Gutenberg

In the autumn a single fertile egg is laid by apterous females in a crevice of the bark of the vine where it is protected during the winter.

From Project Gutenberg

Wingless females of many tropical species present a close superficial resemblance to woodlice; and one interesting apterous form known as Pseudoglomeris, from the East Indies, is able to roll up like a millipede.

From Project Gutenberg