metagnathous

[ muh-tag-nuh-thuh s ]
/ məˈtæg nə θəs /

adjective

Ornithology. having the tips of the mandibles crossed, as the crossbills.
Entomology. having biting mouthparts in the larval stage and sucking mouthparts in the adult stage.

Origin of metagnathous

First recorded in 1870–75; meta- + -gnathous

OTHER WORDS FROM metagnathous

me·tag·na·thism, noun

Words nearby metagnathous

metafemale, metafiction, metagalaxy, metage, metagenesis, metagnathous, metagonimus, metaherpetic keratitis, metal, metal detector, metal fume fever

British Dictionary definitions for metagnathous

metagnathous
/ (mɪˈtæɡnəθəs) /

adjective

(of the beaks of birds such as the crossbill) having crossed tips

Derived forms of metagnathous

metagnathism, noun

Word Origin for metagnathous

C19: from meta- + -gnathous