holometabolous
|ho-lo-met-a-bo-lous|
🇺🇸
/ˌhoʊloʊməˈtæbələs/
🇬🇧
/ˌhɒləˈmɛtəbələs/
complete metamorphosis
Etymology
'holometabolous' originates from Greek, specifically from the elements 'holo-' (from Greek 'holos') meaning 'whole' and 'metabole' meaning 'change', combined with the English/adjectival suffix '-ous'.
'holometabolous' was formed in modern scientific/entomological English from Greek elements via New Latin formations such as 'Holometabola' (a grouping name for insects with complete metamorphosis) and later adapted into the adjective 'holometabolous'.
Initially built from elements that literally suggest 'whole change,' it came to be used specifically to mean 'undergoing complete metamorphosis' in entomology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
describing insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, with distinct larval, pupal, and adult stages (e.g., butterflies, beetles, flies).
Holometabolous insects include butterflies, beetles, and flies, whose larvae often look very different from the adults.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/13 02:52