damselfly
[
dam
-z
uh
l-flahy]
/ˈdæm zəlˌflaɪ/
noun
,
plural
damselflies.
1.
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.
Origin
1805-15;
damsel
+
fly
2
Examples from the web for
damselfly
The jewel-bright sparkle of a
damselfly
on the wing or in repose never fails to excite.
Generally, the large eyes of the dragonflies will touch each other while
damselfly
eyes are smaller and spread much further apart.
The
damselfly
nymph is one of many aquatic insects found in marsh waters.
Attached to common wetland plants, you can see a frog egg-cluster at the bottom of a cattail and a
damselfly
on a bulrush.
For the entomologist, dragonfly and
damselfly
-watching at this site can be quite rewarding.
British Dictionary definitions for
damselfly
damselfly
/
ˈdæmz
ə
lˌflaɪ
/
noun
(
pl
)
-flies
1.
any insect of the suborder
Zygoptera
similar to but smaller than dragonflies and usually resting with the wings closed over the back: order
Odonata