Definition

A type of insect that belongs to the order Orthoptera, which includes species like crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches. These insects usually have two pairs of wings and mouthparts designed for chewing.

Example

The orthopteran chirped loudly in the evening, adding to the sounds of the night.

Conversation

Did you know that a cricket is actually an orthopteran?

Really? I had no idea that was the classification for them.

Yeah, they fall under the order Orthoptera along with grasshoppers.

That's cool! I always thought of them just as insects.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Orthopteran → It is formed from "ortho-" (from Greek "orthos", meaning straight or correct) and "pteron" (from Greek "pteron", meaning wing). The word "orthopteran" refers to insects that have straight wings, such as grasshoppers and crickets.

Memory Tip

Think of 'straight' ('ortho-') wings ('pteron') to remember that 'orthopteran' refers to insects with straight wings.

Visually Confused Words