n pl 1  cap  :  the largest order of insects comprising the beetles and weevils and being distinguished by a pair of forewings that are usu. hard and rigid, are never used for flight, and serve as a protective covering for the delicate flight wings and the upper surface of the abdomen  2  :  insects that are beetles co*le*op*te*ran n or adj co*le*op*te*rist n co*le*op*te*rous adj 
 
 
 
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