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hymenopteran

(hī′mə näp′tər ən)

noun

any of a large, highly specialized order (Hymenoptera) of insects, including wasps, bees, and ants, having complete metamorphosis and often living in social colonies: the insect has a biting or sucking mouth and, when winged, four membranous wings

Origin: < ModL < Gr hymenopteros, membrane-winged < hymēn, membrane (see hymen) + pteron, a wing (see ptero-) + -an

adjective

of or belonging to the hymenopterans

also hymenopterous

See hymenopteran in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of or belonging to the order Hymenoptera.

noun also hy·me·nop·ter·on (-tə-rŏnˌ)

Any insects of the order Hymenoptera, including the bees, wasps, and ants, often living in complex social groups and characteristically having two pairs of membranous wings.

Origin:

Origin: From New Latin Hymenoptera, order name

Origin: , from Greek humenopteros, membrane-winged

Origin: : humēn, membrane; see hymen

Origin: + pteron, wing; see -pter

Related Forms: