Aphelinus

noun

Aph·​e·​li·​nus

ˌafəˈlīnəs,

-ēn-

: a genus of hymenopterous flies that is the type of the family Aphelinidae and that includes a species (A. mali) important in the biological control of the woolly apple aphid

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek aphelēs smooth (from a- a- entry 2 + -phelēs, from phelleus stony ground) + Latin -inus -ine; probably akin to Latin follis bellows

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!