‖ Libellula Ent.
(lɪˈbɛljuːlə)
[Mod.L. (Linnæus); dim. of the earlier name libella.]
A genus of neuropterous insects, originally corresponding in extent to the modern family Libellulidæ (Dragon-flies); now one of three genera composing that order.
| 1752 Hill Hist. Anim. 73 The mouth of the Libellula is furnished with jaws: the antennæ are short [etc.]. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. VII. 330 A large and beautiful fly of the libellula kind. 1854 H. Miller Sch. & Schm. x. (1866) 100 Different species of libellula that used to come and deposit their eggs. |
Hence liˈbellulid n., one of the family Libellulidæ. liˈbelluline a. pertaining to the Libellulidæ; n. an insect of this family. liˈbelluloid a., resembling the Libellulidæ.
| 1848 Craig, Libellulines, the Dragon-flies. 1855 Mayne Expos. Lex., Libelluloides adj.,..libelluloid. |