Odonates

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An order of insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies, known for their elongated bodies and large multifaceted eyes
2. These flying predators are characterized by their exceptional aerial skills and predation on smaller insects
3. Typically found near freshwater habitats, these insects undergo a complex life cycle that involves both aquatic nymph and adult stages

Etymology: "Odonates" is the plural of "odonate", and the insect group it names, Odonata, takes its name from Ancient Greek "odoús", meaning "tooth". The name refers to the mandibles, the jaws of the insect, which are often toothed, a feature that is in fact common among insects and so does not really set dragonflies apart. Like many scientific group names, the term was built from a classical root and applied to a biological order, not inherited from ancient writers who had no such category.