Definition of ovipositor
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs — see insect illustration
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Recent Examples of ovipositor from the Web
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Once the plant surface is covered, insects have a really difficult time inserting either their mouthparts or ovipositors into the plants to do damage.
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Stinger and ovipositors are now separate in all insects except parasitic wasps, which often inject their eggs into a host with just a splash of paralyzing venom.
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Stingers evolved from ovipositors, the tubes through which eggs are laid, which are, of course, found only in females.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ovipositor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of ovipositor
New Latin, from Latin ov- + positor one that places, from ponere to place — more at position
Medical Dictionary
ovipositor
playMedical Definition of ovipositor
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs
Learn More about ovipositor
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ovipositor
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