phasmid

noun

phas·​mid ˈfaz-məd 

: any of an order (Phasmatodea synonym Phasmida) of large cylindrical or sometimes flattened chiefly tropical insects (such as a walking stick) that have long legs, strictly phytophagous habits, and incomplete metamorphosis and that include forms resembling leaves or twigs

phasmid adjective

Examples of phasmid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some lost species, including the phasmid, have subsequently been rediscovered on surrounding islets. —John Pickrell, Science | AAAS, 5 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Phasmida, group name, from Phasma, type genus, from Greek, apparition, from phainein to show — more at fancy

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

phasmid

noun

phas·​mid ˈfas-mid 

: either of the paired lateral postanal organs characteristic of most parasitic nematodes and usually regarded as chemoreceptors see phasmidia