Chaoboridae

plural noun

Cha·​obor·​i·​dae
ˌkāəˈbȯrəˌdē,
-är-
: a family of gnats related to and often included as a subfamily of Culicidae but distinguished by the short mouth parts, nonbiting habit, and absence of scales on the wing veins and with larvae that are aquatic and predaceous on other insect larvae (as those of mosquitoes)
chaoborine
kāˈäbəˌrīn
noun
plural -s

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Chaoborus, type genus (from Late Greek chaoun to destroy utterly—from Greek chaos space, abyss—+ New Latin -borus—from Greek bora food, meat) + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Chaoboridae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chaoboridae. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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