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Glite Dictionary
geometrid moth

geometrid moth

9.3
A thin moth with broad wings whose caterpillar is called an inchworm
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒiːəʊˌmɛtrɪd mɒθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polilla geometrida
  • The geometrid moth is known for its unique wing patterns.

Examples

  • The wings of a typical geometrid moth are usually held flat when at rest.

  • The caterpillar of the geometrid moth is often called a measuring worm because of the way it moves.

  • Many gardeners notice geometrid moths around their lights during the summer months.

  • Have you ever seen a geometrid moth during the summer?

  • The scientist studied the life cycle of the geometrid moth to understand its unique behavior.

  • In the garden, I spotted a beautiful geometrid moth resting on a leaf during the day.

  • The geometrid moth larva crawled slowly, mimicking a twig as it inched along the branch.

Synonyms

moth
vsgeometrid moth
71 1.0

An insect like a butterfly that flies at night, often with feathery antennae

is a specific slender bodied broad winged member of that group
geometrid
vsgeometrid moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A slender moth with wide wings whose caterpillars are inchworms

is identical in meaning but uses a two-word phrase instead

Surface Forms

geometrid moth singular
geometrid moths plural

Morphology

geometrid + moth

The phrase is fully compositional: 'geometrid' names a particular type/family and 'moth' is the head noun, so 'geometrid moth' straightforwardly means a moth of the Geometridae. This is a taxonomic modifier rather than an idiom, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The noun geometrid moth gets its name from its caterpillar, the measuring worm. Because the caterpillar moves by lifting its middle and stretching forward like it is 'measuring' the ground, people called it an 'earth measurer', and that image gave the moth its name.