coleopteran

[ koh-lee-op-ter-uh n, kol-ee- ]
/ ˌkoʊ liˈɒp tər ən, ˌkɒl i- /

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the order Coleoptera.

noun

a beetle.

Origin of coleopteran

First recorded in 1840–50; Coleopter(a) + -an

Words nearby coleopteran

colemanite, colenso, colent., coleopter, coleoptera, coleopteran, coleopteron, coleopterous, coleoptile, coleorhiza, coleraine

Example sentences from the Web for coleopteran

British Dictionary definitions for coleopteran

coleopteran
/ (ˌkɒlɪˈɒptərən) /

noun Also: coleopteron

any of the insects of the cosmopolitan order Coleoptera, in which the forewings are modified to form shell-like protective elytra. The order includes the beetles and weevils

adjective Also: coleopterous

of, relating to, or belonging to the order Coleoptera

Word Origin for coleopteran

C18: from New Latin Coleoptera, from Greek koleoptera, from koleopteros sheath-winged, from koleon sheath + pteron wing

Scientific definitions for coleopteran

coleopteran
[ kō′lē-ŏp′tər-ən, kŏl′ē- ]

Any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera, characterized by forewings modified to form tough protective covers for the membranous hind wings. Coleopterans include the beetles, weevils, and fireflies.