Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The common name of any neuropterous insect of the group Libellulina or Odonata, and families Libellilidœ, Æschnidœ, and Agrionidœ.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word dragon-fly.

Examples

  • Numerous cases could be given among the lower animals of the same organ performing at the same time wholly distinct functions; thus in the larva of the dragon-fly and in the fish Cobites the alimentary canal respires, digests, and excretes.

    A New Book 2010

  • Numerous cases could be given among the lower animals of the same organ performing at the same time wholly distinct functions; thus in the larva of the dragon-fly and in the fish Cobites the alimentary canal respires, digests, and excretes.

    A New Book 2010

  • It is only the nymph of the dragon-fly that sheds her larva and sees the sun in his glory.

    Archive 2007-06-01 2007

  • It is only the nymph of the dragon-fly that sheds her larva and sees the sun in his glory.

    The Epic of Gilgamesh 2007

  • The dragon-fly had eaten as many as he wanted, and was sitting quite still and sleepy, for it was very hot and bright.

    The Water Babies 2007

  • He was sitting on a water-lily leaf, he and his friend the dragon-fly, watching the gnats dance.

    The Water Babies 2007

  • The dragon-fly must wing his flight in armour cased: that is the law of his development.

    Cyropaedia 2007

  • It was only a big dock: but you know the dragon-fly had never seen any but little water-trees; starwort, and milfoil, and water-crowfoot, and such like; so it did look very big to him.

    The Water Babies 2007

  • The dragon-fly did come back, and chatted away with Tom.

    The Water Babies 2007

  • Do not even you know that a green drake, and an alder-fly, and a dragon-fly, live under water till they change their skins, just as Tom changed his?

    The Water Babies 2007

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.