Advertisement

dragonfly (n.)

common name of a neuropterous predatory insect of the group Libellulina, with a long, slender body, large eyes, and two pairs of large, membranous wings, 1620s, from dragon + fly (n.). An older name for it was adderbolt (late 15c.), for its shape, also devil's darning-needle.

Others are reading

Advertisement
Definitions of dragonfly from WordNet

dragonfly (n.)
slender-bodied non-stinging insect having iridescent wings that are outspread at rest; adults and nymphs feed on mosquitoes etc.;
Synonyms: darning needle / devil's darning needle / sewing needle / snake feeder / snake doctor / mosquito hawk / skeeter hawk
From wordnet.princeton.edu