geometrid
noun, adjective
Forms geometrids
- noun (entomology) Any of the family Geometridae of moths
- noun A larva of such moth, which when walking alternate legs and prolegs, giving the appearance of measuring
- adjective Relating to such moths
Synonyms
geometer moth geometrid moth inchworm looper measuring worm spanworm
Etymology
Borrowed from Translingual Geometridae.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Pertaining or belonging to the Geometridæ.
- noun One of numerous genera and species of moths, of the family Geometridæ; --so called because their larvæ (called loopers, measuring worms, spanworms, and inchworms) creep in a looping manner, as if measuring. Many of the species are injurious to agriculture, as the cankerworms.
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “geometrid”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details