Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Serphidae

plural noun
Ser·​phi·​dae | \-fəˌdē\

Definition of Serphidae 

: a family of small serphoid wasps having a tubular retractile ovipositor and being parasitic in the eggs and larvae of other insects

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!

History and Etymology for Serphidae

New Latin, from Serphus, type genus (from Greek serphos a small winged insect) + -idae

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Serphidae

Statistics for Serphidae

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Serphidae

What made you want to look up Serphidae? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

vitiate

to make faulty or ineffective

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games