n. Any of numerous insects of the order Orthoptera, having mouthparts that are adapted for chewing, usually two pairs of wings with thickened front wings and folded hind wings, and often enlarged hind legs. Orthopterans include the grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. [From New Latin Orthoptera, order name : Greek ortho-, ortho- + Greek ptera, neuter pl. of pteron, wing; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] or·thopter·an, or·thopter·ous adj. |
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