damselfly

[ dam-zuhl-flahy ]

/ ˈdæm zəlˌflaɪ /

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noun, plural dam·sel·flies.

any of numerous slender, nonstinging insects of the order Odonata (suborder Zygoptera), distinguished from the dragonflies by having the wings folded back in line with the body when at rest.

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Origin of damselfly

First recorded in 1805–15; damsel + fly¹

Words nearby damselfly

damp squib, Damrosch, damsel, damsel bug, damselfish, damselfly, damsel in distress, damson, damson cheese, damyankee, dan

British Dictionary definitions for damselfly

damselfly

/ (ˈdæmzəlˌflaɪ) /

noun plural -flies

any insect of the suborder Zygoptera similar to but smaller than dragonflies and usually resting with the wings closed over the back: order Odonata

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012