hemimetabolous
|hem-i-met-a-bol-ous|
/ˌhɛmɪˈmɛtəbələs/
partial / incomplete metamorphosis
Etymology
'hemimetabolous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'hemimetabolus', where 'hemi-' meant 'half' and 'metabole' meant 'change'.
'hemimetabolous' changed from the Greek elements 'hēmi-' + 'metabole' into New Latin 'hemimetabolus' and eventually became the modern English word 'hemimetabolous'.
Initially, it meant 'partly changing' or 'undergoing partial metamorphosis', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'having incomplete metamorphosis (without a pupal stage)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having incomplete metamorphosis in which the immature stage (nymph) resembles the adult and there is no distinct pupal stage.
Many grasshoppers and true bugs are hemimetabolous, developing from nymphs directly into adults without a pupal stage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/13 03:03