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orthopterous insect

orthopterous insect

9.9
An insect like a grasshopper or cricket with firm front wings, thin back wings, and mouth parts for chewing
  • noun
  • /ɔrˈθɑːptərəs ˈɪnsekt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : insecto ortóptero
  • The grasshopper is an example of an orthopterous insect commonly found in fields.

Examples

  • Crickets, which are orthopterous insects, are well known for their distinctive chirping sounds.

  • Many farmers consider certain orthopterous insects to be pests because they feed on crops.

  • The orthopterous insect jumped from one leaf to another.

  • Many orthopterous insects are found in grasslands.

  • Crickets, which are orthopterous insects, are well known for their distinctive chirping sounds.

  • Many farmers consider certain orthopterous insects to be pests because they feed on crops.

  • The grasshopper is an example of an orthopterous insect commonly found in fields.

Synonyms

insect
vsorthopterous insect
341 1.0

A small animal with a body in three parts, six legs and often wings

is narrower, naming only members of a single order
orthopteran
vsorthopterous insect
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect like a grasshopper or cricket with strong back legs for jumping

is the broader phrase used to name that same group
orthopteron
vsorthopterous insect
  • Specialized
9.9

An insect like a grasshopper or cricket with strong back legs for jumping

is an alternate word form for the same group

Surface Forms

Morphology

orthopterous + insect

Compositionally, 'orthopterous insect' is transparent: the adjective 'orthopterous' modifies 'insect' to indicate an insect belonging to or having the characteristics of Orthoptera, so the overall meaning follows the normal adjective + noun composition. However, 'orthopterous' is a technical, low-frequency term (often missing from general dictionaries), so although the phrase is morphologically transparent in principle, it will be unknown to most B1 learners unless they already know that specialized adjective.

Etymology

The term orthopterous insect comes from old Greek parts orthos and pteron, which mean 'straight' and 'wing'. These insects often have hard front wings that lie straight over the body, so the name is used for insects like grasshoppers and crickets.