designating primitive insects of the subclass Apterygota, characterized by small size, lack of wings, and larvae resembling the adults: includes the springtails and bristletails
Derived forms
winglessness (ˈwinglessness)
noun
wingless in American English
(ˈwɪŋlɪs)
adjective
1.
having no wings
2.
having only rudimentary wings, as an apteryx
Derived forms
winglessness
noun
Word origin
[1585–95; wing + -less]This word is first recorded in the period 1585–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aberration, naturalize, parallax, switch, titular-less an adjective suffix meaning “without” (childless; peerless), and in adjectives derived from verbs, indicating failure or inability to performor be performed (resistless; tireless)
Examples of 'wingless' in a sentence
wingless
Think wingless jet and you are halfway there.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The wingless wonders emerged on the way.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Voiceless, wingless, the thousands pass; from home to city from city home.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Eradicating the wingless, 6-mm long bugs can cost thousands of dollars.
Globe and Mail (2010)
Head lice are wingless insects.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Spiders may be wingless, but they too love the sky, and deliberately seek the heights by ballooning.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The organisers have countered robustly, by emphasising that the wingless insects are nutritious, high in protein and fat-free.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The winged male ants are fertile and live a pampered life underground waited on by infertile wingless male workers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They are a wingless parasite that feeds on extremely small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp.
The Sun (2012)
Self-confidence is a definite advantage in most areas, but wingless flight is not one of them.