hymenopteran Hear it!

hymenopteran definition

hy·me·nop·teran (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

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

adjective

of or belonging to the hymenopterans
also hymenopterous hy′·menop′·ter·ous

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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