DIPTERA

Diptera, order Diptera

(noun) a large order of insects having a single pair of wings and sucking or piercing mouths; includes true flies and mosquitoes and gnats and crane flies

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Dip"te*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. diptère.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: An extensive order of insects having only two functional wings and two balancers, as the house fly, mosquito, etc. They have a suctorial proboscis, often including two pairs of sharp organs (mandibles and maxillæ) with which they pierce the skin of animals. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, their larvæ (called maggots) being usually without feet.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

24 February 2025

ANOMALY

(noun) (astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun)


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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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