Tanystomata

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Tanystomata \Tan`y*stom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to stretch
     + ?, ?, mouth.] (Zool.)
     A division of dipterous insects in which the proboscis is
     large and contains lancelike mandibles and maxillae. The
     horseflies and robber flies are examples.
     [1913 Webster]