† liˈbella Ent. Obs.
[mod.L. (Moufet 1634); perh. an application of L. lībella (see level n.), with reference to the horizontal extension of the wings.]
An early scientific name for the dragon-fly. (Cf. Libellula.)
| 1694 Libellæ [see dragon-fly]. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist., Insects ii. ii, Of the Libella, or Dragon-fly. |