Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural a·noph·e·les.
- any mosquito of the genus Anopheles, certain species of which are vectors of the parasite causing malaria in humans, distinguished from other mosquitoes by the absence of breathing tubes in the larvae and by the head-downward stance of the adult while resting or feeding.
noun plural -les
- any of various mosquitoes constituting the genus Anopheles, some species of which transmit the malaria parasite to man
genus of mosquitoes, Modern Latin, coined 1818 by German entomologist Johann Wilhelm Meigen (1764-1845) from Greek anopheles “useless, hurtful, harmful,” from an-, privative prefix, (see an- (1)) + ophelos “use, help, advantage” (see Ophelia). So called because it conveys malaria.
n.
- A genus of mosquitoes containing over 90 species, many of which are vectors of malaria.