n. Any of numerous insects of the order Coleoptera; a beetle. [From New Latin Coleoptera, order name, from Greek koleopteros, sheath-winged : koleon, sheath; see kel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + pteron, wing; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] co′le·opter·an, co′le·opter·ous (-tər-əs) adj. |
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