neuroptera Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an order of insects including: lacewings; antlions; dobsonflies; alderflies; fish flies; mantispids; spongeflies
    order Neuroptera.
  2. noun insect having biting mouthparts and four large membranous wings with netlike veins
    neuropterous insect; neuropteran; neuropteron.

WordNet

Neu*rop"te*ra noun plural
Etymology
Nl., fr. gr. nerve + a wing, fr. to fly.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) An order of hexapod insects having two pairs of large, membranous, net-veined wings. The mouth organs are adapted for chewing. They feed upon other insects, and undergo a complete metamorphosis. The ant-lion, hellgamite, and lacewing fly are examples. Formerly, the name was given to a much more extensive group, including the true Neuroptera and the Pseudoneuroptera.

Webster 1913