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apterous

[ ap-ter-uhs ]

adjective

  1. Zoology. wingless, as some insects.
  2. Botany. without membranous expansions, as a stem.


apterous

/ ˈæptərəs /

adjective

  1. (of insects) without wings, as silverfish and springtails
  2. without winglike expansions, as some plant stems, seeds, and fruits
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈapterˌism, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of apterous1

First recorded in 1765–75, apterous is from the Greek word ápteros wingless. See a- 6, -pterous
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Word History and Origins

Origin of apterous1

C18: from Greek apteros wingless, from a- 1+ pteron wing
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Example Sentences

Fleas are apterous, walk but little, but leap to a height equal to two hundred times that of their own body.

Those which resemble the perfect insect, except that they are apterous, or not yet furnished with organs of flight.

Male and female larv similar, apterous, naked or covered, active.

In the autumn, however, the eggs which are laid give rise in part to winged forms and in part to apterous forms.

It appears to be apterous, and is said in scent and colour to resemble the bed-bug.

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apteriumapterygial