Siphonaptera
|si-phon-ap-te-ra|
/ˌsɪfəˈnæptərə/
wingless, blood‑sucking insects (fleas)
Etymology
'Siphonaptera' originates from New Latin, formed from Greek elements: 'siphon' meaning 'tube, pipe' and 'aptera' from 'a-' (without) + 'pteron' meaning 'wing'.
'Siphonaptera' was coined in New Latin as a scientific (taxonomic) name built from Greek roots and was adopted into modern English scientific usage with little change in form.
Initially it literally combined elements meaning 'tube' and 'wingless'; over time it came to be used specifically for the taxonomic order of fleas (wingless, blood‑sucking insects).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic order of insects comprising the fleas; characterized by being wingless, laterally compressed, adapted for jumping, and typically hematophagous (blood‑sucking).
Siphonaptera includes the flea species that commonly infest mammals and birds.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/03 23:14