Main Entry: hy·me·nop·ter·an

Pronunciation: \ˌhī-mə-ˈnäp-tə-rən\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin Hymenoptera, from Greek, neuter plural of hymenopteros membrane-winged, from hymēn + pteron wing — more at feather

Date: circa 1842

: any of an order (Hymenoptera) of highly specialized insects with complete metamorphosis that include the bees, wasps, ants, ichneumon flies, sawflies, gall wasps, and related forms, often associate in large colonies with complex social organization, and have usually four membranous wings and the abdomen generally borne on a slender pedicel

— hymenopteran adjective

— hy·me·nop·ter·ous \-rəs\ adjective