tetrapterous

[ te-trap-ter-uh s ]
/ tɛˈtræp tər əs /

adjective

Zoology. having four wings or winglike appendages.
Botany. having four winglike appendages.

Origin of tetrapterous

From the Greek word tetrápteros, dating back to 1820–30. See tetra-, -pterous

OTHER WORDS FROM tetrapterous

te·trap·ter·an, adjective, noun

Example sentences from the Web for tetrapterous

British Dictionary definitions for tetrapterous

tetrapterous
/ (tɛˈtræptərəs) /

adjective

(of certain insects) having four wings
biology having four winglike extensions or parts

Word Origin for tetrapterous

C19: from New Latin tetrapterus, from Greek tetrapteros, from tetra- + pteron wing