Hŷ'men-ŏp'ter, n.

n. [Fr. hyménoptère, It. imenop-tero, imenottero. See infra.] (Entom.) One of an order of insects having four membranous wings that are parallel-veined at the proximal part, and loosely reticulated distally. The females have generally either an ovipositor or a sting. The bee, the wasp, &c., are examples.