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damselfly
noun
dam·sel·fly
Ë?dam-zÉ™l-ËŒflÄ«
: any of numerous odonate insects (suborder Zygoptera) distinguished from dragonflies by laterally projecting eyes and usually stalked wings folded above the body when at rest
Examples of damselfly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Look into my eyes by Pete Burford Being cold-blooded, damselflies and other insects cannot generate their own body heat.
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Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024
The Presidio Trust, a federal agency that manages the park, has repopulated the coastal landscape with turtles, newts and damselflies that once lived there.
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Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
Photographer Pete Burford was outside at 2 a.m., looking for resting damselflies in the United Kingdom.
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Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2024
Emotions missing during the six months of pandemic—spontaneity, hope, joy—flitted like damselflies over the millpond.
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Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1815, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near damselfly
Cite this Entry
“Damselfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damselfly. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on damselfly
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about damselfly
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