Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
brachypterous

brachypterous

9.9
Having very short wings so an insect cannot fly
  • adjective
  • /brækˈɪptərəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : braquíptero
  • The scientist discovered a new brachypterous beetle species on the island.

Examples

  • Some cockroaches exhibit brachypterous forms that are adapted to life without flight.

  • Some brachypterous insects are adapted for life in dense vegetation.

  • Many grasshoppers in arid regions are brachypterous and cannot fly.

  • The brachypterous species of beetle cannot fly.

  • Many grasshoppers in arid regions are brachypterous and cannot fly.

  • Some cockroaches exhibit brachypterous forms that are adapted to life without flight.

  • Some brachypterous insects are adapted for life in dense vegetation.

Synonyms

small-winged
vsbrachypterous
1 5.8

With wings that are small for its body

emphasizes wings that are very short or underdeveloped rather than merely small
short-winged
vsbrachypterous
7.9

Having very short wings so the animal cannot fly far

uses the same meaning but in a technical or scientific form

How Short

apterous
  • Specialized
9.9
brachypterous
  • Specialized
9.9
winged
31 3.9

Surface Forms

brachypterous positive

Morphology

brachypterous = brachy + pter + ous

The word is built from specialized Greek combining forms ('brachy-' = short, 'pter-' = wing) plus the adjectival '-ous', which is not productive or recognizable to an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not transparently derivable from familiar English base words.

Etymology

The word brachypterous comes from Greek parts brachy- meaning 'short' and -pterous from pteron meaning 'wing', as in pterodactyl. So, brachypterous describes animals with very short or not fully formed wings and usually cannot fly.