ptero-, pter-, -ptera, -pteron, -pteryx, -ptery, -pterous

A group of wingless insects, of which the flea is a type.

1. In zoology, descriptive of creatures that have no wings: The biology class planned to visit the apterous section of the local zoo to learn about insects that have no wings.
2. Botany, having no winglike parts or extensions: When Joe planned his garden, he included many apterous plants which would not disseminate their seeds with winglike structures.

Having no wings; especially, the nocturnal wingless and so, flightless, bird of New Zealand having a long neck and a long slender bill, and stout legs: Kiwis are the only surviving apteryx or representatives of the order Apterygiformes.

A fossil bird, of the Jurassic period: An archaeopteryx was remarkable for having a long tapering tail of many vertebrae with feathers along each side, and jaws armed with teeth, including other reptilian characteristics.

A reference to creatures that have two wings: There are all kinds of diplopterous birds and bats flying around.

1. Pertaining to the order of insects Diptera: Some dipteral insects include the mosquitoes and the blowflies which have only one pair of wings.
2. In architecture, referring to something having a double row of columns: Some Greek temples have a dipteral type of construction, like the Temple of Apollo..

1. A large order of insects that includes flies and mosquitoes, characterized by a single pair of membranous wings and a pair of club-shaped balancing organs.
2. Having two wings, as certain insects, or winglike appendages, as certain fruits and seeds; such as, the dipterous fruit of the maple.