horntail

[ hawrn-teyl ]
/ ˈhɔrnˌteɪl /

noun

any of various wasplike insects of the family Siricidae, the females of which have a hornlike ovipositor.

Origin of horntail

First recorded in 1880–85; horn + tail1

Words nearby horntail

horns and halo effect, horns of a dilemma, on the, hornsby, hornstone, hornswoggle, horntail, hornworm, hornwort, hornwrack, horny, horny coral

British Dictionary definitions for horntail

horntail
/ (ˈhɔːnˌteɪl) /

noun

any of various large wasplike insects of the hymenopterous family Siricidae, the females of which have a strong stout ovipositor and lay their eggs in the wood of felled trees Also called: wood wasp