məˈkäptərə noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from mec- + -ptera
: an order of primitive carnivorous insects usually having membranous heavily veined wings, a long beak with biting mouthparts at the tip, and larvae that live in soil and including the scorpion flies and hanging flies
• me·cop·ter·an -tərən noun -s
• me·cop·ter·ous -t(ə)rəs adjective