dermapteran

[ der-map-ter-uh n ]
/ dərˈmæp tər ən /

adjective

Also der·map·ter·ous. belonging or pertaining to the insect order Dermaptera, comprising the earwigs.

noun

any of numerous brown to black, small to medium-sized nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, widely distributed in warm, moist areas, characterized by a slender, elongated, flattened body with pincerlike appendages at the tail end of the abdomen.

Origin of dermapteran

1860–65; < New Latin Dermapter(a) (irregular < Greek dermóptera (see dermopteran), or a deliberate alteration of Dermoptera to keep the taxa distinct) + -an

British Dictionary definitions for dermapteran

dermapteran
/ (dɜːˈmæptərən) /

noun

any insect of the order Dermaptera, the earwigs

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to this order

Word Origin for dermapteran

C19: from Greek derma (see derma 1) + pteron wing

Scientific definitions for dermapteran

dermapteran
[ dər-măptər-ən ]

Any of various insects of the order Dermaptera, having an elongated flattened body equipped with a pair of pincerlike appendages at the posterior end. Dermapterans include the earwigs.