‖ ˈDiptera, n. pl. Entom.
[mod. L. = Gr. δίπτερα (Aristotle), pl. neuter of δίπτερος two-winged (sc. insecta insects, animalia animals): see prec.]
The two-winged flies, a large order of insects having one pair of membranous wings, with a pair of halteres or poisers representing a posterior pair. Well-known examples are the common house-fly, the gnats, gad-flies, and crane-flies.
| 1819 Pantologia, Diptera, in zoology, an order of the class insecta, characterised by having two wings, under each of which is a clavate poise with its appropriate scale. 1867 F. Francis Angling vi. (1880) 196 The other orders in most use by the fly-fishers are..the Diptera, or two-winged. 1879 A. W. Bennett in Academy 33 Abundantly visited by insects, especially Diptera. |