Ent. [Mod.L. (Linnæus); dim. of the earlier name LIBELLA.] A genus of neuropterous insects, originally corresponding in extent to the modern family Libellulidæ (Dragon-flies); now one of three genera composing that order.
1752. Sir J. Hill, Hist. Anim., 73. The mouth of the Libellula is furnished with jaws: the antennæ are short [etc.].
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., VII. 330. A large and beautiful fly of the libellula kind.
1854. H. Miller, Sch. & Schm., x. (1866), 100. Different species of libellula that used to come and deposit their eggs.
Hence Libellulid sb., one of the family Libellulidæ. Libelluline a. pertaining to the Libellulidæ; sb. an insect of this family. Libelluloid a., resembling the Libellulidæ.
1848. Craig, Libellulines, the Dragon-flies.
1855. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Libelluloides adj.,… libelluloid.
