Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Any of numerous predatory insects of the order Odonata, which includes the dragonflies and damselflies, characterized by a long, slender, often brightly colored body, two pairs of transparent veined wings, large compound eyes, and an aquatic larval stage.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun large primitive predatory aquatic insect having two pairs of membranous wings
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[From New Latin Odōnata, order name, from Greek odōn, tooth; see –odon.]
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Examples
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He is particularly fascinated by butterfly ecology, bird evolution and diversity, odonate habitat choice and breeding, and adaptation to the sea shore by a wide variety of animals, as well as being a keen plantsman (species only, though!).
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