geometrid

[ jee-om-i-trid ]

adjective

1. belonging or relating to the family Geometridae, comprising slender-bodied, broad-winged moths, the larvae of which are called inchworms:

   In one lowland rainforest, they recorded more than 400 geometrid species.

noun

1. Also geometrid moth. any moth of the family Geometridae, comprising slender-bodied, broad-winged moths, the larvae of which are called inchworms, including cankerworms and hemlock loopers.

geometrid

/ dʒɪˈɒmɪtrɪd /

noun

1. any moth of the family Geometridae, the larvae of which are called measuring worms, inchworms, or loopers

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Geometridae

Word History and Origins

Origin of geometrid¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin Geometridae, from Geometr(a), a genus name ( geometer; so called because the larva seems to measure the ground with its looping motion) + -idae -id ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of geometrid¹

C19: from New Latin Geōmetridae, from Latin, from Greek geometrēs: land measurer, from the looping gait of the larvae

Example Sentences

Scorched′-car′pet, -wing, British geometrid moths; Scorch′er, anything that scorches, a very caustic rebuke, criticism, &c.: one who rides a bicycle furiously on a road; Scorch′ing.—p.adj. burning superficially: bitterly sarcastic, scathing.—adv.

From Project Gutenberg

Ringed′-car′pet, a British geometrid moth; Ring′-fence, a fence continuously encircling an estate, a limit; Ring′-fing′er, the third finger of the left hand, on which women wear their marriage-ring.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

A multi-year infestation of geometrid moths appears to be peaking in the south-central region of Alaska, which includes Anchorage, according to a mid-summer advisory issued by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service.

From Reuters

How is this change brought about?Explain the protective coloration of the following: Dead-leaf butterfly, walking stick, geometrid larva.

From Project Gutenberg

The Desmoscolecida move by looping their bodies like geometrid caterpillars or leeches, as well as by creeping on their setae.

From Project Gutenberg