Neuroptera

‖prop. n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. ney^ron nerve + ptero`n a wing, fr. pte`sqai to fly. ] (Zool.) An order of hexapod insects having two pairs of large, membranous, net-veined wings. The mouth organs are adapted for chewing. They feed upon other insects, and undergo a complete metamorphosis. The ant-lion, hellgamite, and lacewing fly are examples. Formerly, the name was given to a much more extensive group, including the true Neuroptera and the Pseudoneuroptera. [ 1913 Webster ]