Rhipidopterous
/rɪˌpɪdɒpˈtɛrəs/noun
Having wings shaped like a fan or relating to the former insect group Rhipidoptera.
Did you know?Rhipidoptera was an obsolete taxonomic name associated with insects now generally placed within Strepsiptera, whose males have unusual fan-shaped hind wings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pet-
“To rush, fly, or seek; the ancient root behind several words connected with motion and wings.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥιπίς (rhipís)
“A fan or bellows, an object used to create moving air.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πτερόν (pterón)
“A wing or feather.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Rhipidoptera
“A taxonomic name meaning “fan-winged,” formed from Greek rhipís and pterón.”
19th Century
English
rhipidopterous
“Fan-winged; pertaining to Rhipidoptera.”
Modern English
English
rhipidopterous
“An uncommon zoological adjective describing fan-shaped wings or historical classification.”
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