damselfly

[dam-zuh 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 + fly2
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

/ˈdæmzəlˌflaɪ/
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