n. Any of numerous insects of the order Hymenoptera, including the bees, wasps, ants, and sawflies, often living in complex social groups and characteristically having two pairs of membranous wings. [From New Latin Hymenoptera, order name, from Greek humenopteros, membrane-winged : humēn, membrane; see HYMEN + pteron, wing; see -PTER.] hy′me·nopter·an, hy′me·nopter·ous (-tər-əs) adj. |
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