: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage
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The exhibit includes more than three dozen glass and steel sculptures ranging from butterflies and dragonflies to bees.—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 Roosting Dragons by Daniel Trim When dragonflies gather in England’s Ham Wall Nature Reserve, the morning hours offer a unique glimpse into their behavior.—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025 That was a big surprise to Christofer Brothers, who studies dragonflies and damselflies at UC Davis.—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 13 Jan. 2025 The exhibit will include over three dozen glass and steel sculptures of sparkling butterflies, dragonflies, bamboo, bees and insects.—San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dragonfly
: any of a group of large harmless insects that have four long wings held horizontal and sticking out instead of folded to the side next to the body when at rest and that feed especially on flies, gnats, and mosquitoes compare damselfly
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