1.
[syn: Hymenoptera, order Hymenoptera]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Hymenoptera \Hy`me*nop"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
membrane-winged; ? skin, membrane + ? wing.] (Zool.)
An extensive order of insects, including the bees, ants,
ichneumons, sawflies, etc.
[1913 Webster]
Note: They have four membranous wings, with few
reticulations, and usually with a thickened, dark spot
on the front edge of the anterior wings. In most of the
species, the tongue, or lingua, is converted into an
organ for sucking honey, or other liquid food, and the
mandibles are adapted for biting or cutting. In one
large division (Aculeata), including the bees, wasps,
and ants, the females and workers usually have a sting,
which is only a modified ovipositor. Hymenopteral
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Hymenoptera
n 1: an order of insects including: bees; wasps; ants;
ichneumons; sawflies; gall wasps; etc. [syn: Hymenoptera,
order Hymenoptera]