Aculeata

plural noun

Acu·​le·​a·​ta

ə-ˌkyü-lē-ˈä-tə,

-ˈā-tə

: a division of Hymenoptera including the bees, ants, and true wasps all characteristically having the ovipositor modified into a stinger

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin, neuter plural of aculeātus "having stingers or spines, stinging," from aculeus "stinger" + -ātus -ate entry 3

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

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