scorpion fly

noun

: any of a family (Panorpidae) of insects that have cylindrical bodies, a long beak with biting mouthparts, and the male genitalia enlarged into a swollen bulb
broadly : an insect of the order (Mecoptera) that includes this family

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scorpion fly was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near scorpion fly

Cite this Entry

“Scorpion fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scorpion%20fly. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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