dermapteran

[ der-map-ter-uhn ]

adjective

1. Also dermapterous. belonging or pertaining to the insect order Dermaptera, comprising the earwigs.

noun

1. any of numerous brown to black, small to medium-sized nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, widely distributed in warm, moist areas, characterized by a slender, elongated, flattened body with pincerlike appendages at the tail end of the abdomen.

dermapteran

/ dɜːˈmæptərən /

noun

1. any insect of the order Dermaptera, the earwigs

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to this order

dermapteran

/ dər-măp′tər-ən /

1. Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera, having an elongated flattened body equipped with a pair of pincerlike appendages at the posterior end. Dermapterans include the earwigs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dermapteran¹

1860–65; < New Latin Dermapter ( a ) (irregular < Greek dermóptera ( dermopteran ), or a deliberate alteration of Dermoptera to keep the taxa distinct) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of dermapteran¹

C19: from Greek derma (see derma ¹) + pteron wing