Definition of DIPTERAN

dipteran

Meanings

Plural: dipterans

Noun

  • insects having usually a single pair of functional wings (anterior pair) with the posterior pair reduced to small knobbed structures and mouth parts adapted for sucking or lapping or piercing
  • An insect of the large order Diptera; a fly.

Adj

  • Relating to or denoting dipterans.

Origin / Etymology

PIE word
*dwóh₁
Immediately from translingual Diptera + -an, for denoting taxonomic specification, as opposed to instances where "fly" is used informally. From Ancient Greek δίπτερος (dípteros, “two-winged”) + -an, from δι- (di-, “two, di-”) + πτερόν (pterón, “feather, wing”) + -ος (-os, “adjectival suffix”).

Synonyms

dipteron, dipterous insect, two-winged insects

Scrabble Score: 11

dipteran is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
dipteran is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
dipteran is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 13

dipteran is a valid Words With Friends word