Endopterygotous

/ˌɛndoʊptəˈrɪɡətəs/ adjective

Definition

An alternative form meaning the same as endopterygotic: having wings that develop internally during metamorphosis.

Etymology

Variant of 'endopterygotic' using the older Greek-derived suffix '-ous' instead of '-ic', both meaning 'having the quality of.' This form appeared in older entomological texts and remains in some scientific literature.

Kelly Says

The existence of both '-ic' and '-ous' versions shows how scientific terminology evolved—older naturalists used different endings, and both stuck around in scientific tradition even though they mean the same thing.

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