aphanipterous
|a-pha-nip-ter-ous|
/ˌæfəˈnɪptərəs/
without visible wings
Etymology
'aphanipterous' originates from Greek, specifically from elements 'aphanēs' and 'pteron', where 'aphanēs' meant 'invisible' or 'not visible' and 'pteron' meant 'wing'.
'aphanipterous' was formed in English via entomological coinage combining Greek stems ('aphanēs' + 'pterous') to mean 'having invisible or absent wings'; it entered technical usage in descriptions of insects in the 19th–20th centuries.
Initially formed to describe wings that are not visible or are absent; this technical meaning has been retained in modern entomological usage to indicate winglessness or reduced/hidden wings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having no visible wings; wingless or with wings not apparent (often used in entomology).
The aphanipterous beetles are adapted to life under bark and cannot fly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/15 21:02