neuropterous

[ noo-rop-ter-uhs, nyoo- ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Neuroptera, an order of insects characterized by four membranous wings having netlike venation, comprising the ant lions, lacewings, dobsonflies, alderflies, fishflies, snakeflies, mantispids, and spongillaflies.

neuropterous

/ njʊˈrɒptərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Neuroptera, an order of insects having two pairs of large much-veined wings and biting mouthparts: includes the lacewings and antlions

Word History and Origins

Origin of neuropterous¹

1795–1805; < New Latin Neuropter ( a ), neuter plural of neuropterus nerve-winged + -ous. See neuro-, -pterous

Word History and Origins

Origin of neuropterous¹

C18: from New Latin Neuroptera; see neuro- , -pterous

Example Sentences

A neuropterous insect, the larva of which makes in the sand a pitfall to capture ants, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Rhyacophilid�, rī-a-kō-fil′i-dē, n. a family of neuropterous insects.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

I’m humbly hoping to discover the eggs of certain neuropterous insects.

From Project Gutenberg

Ephem�era, the typical genus of the neuropterous insects constituting the family Ephemerid�, so named from the extreme shortness of their lives in the perfect state.

From Project Gutenberg

ANT-LION, the name given to neuropterous insects of the family Myrmeleonidae, with relatively short and apically clubbed antennae and four large densely reticulated wings in which the apical veins enclose regular oblong spaces.

From Project Gutenberg