'Diptera' definitions:
Definition of 'Diptera'
(from WordNet)
noun
A large order of insects having a single pair of wings and sucking or piercing mouths; includes true flies and mosquitoes and gnats and crane flies [syn: Diptera, order Diptera]
Definition of 'Diptera'
From: GCIDE
- Diptera \Dip"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? with two wings, di- = di`s- twice + ? feather, wing: cf. F. dipt[`e]re.] (Zool.) An extensive order of insects having only two functional wings and two balancers, as the house fly, mosquito, etc. They have a suctorial proboscis, often including two pairs of sharp organs (mandibles and maxill[ae]) with which they pierce the skin of animals. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, their larv[ae] (called maggots) being usually without feet. [1913 Webster]