web-winged
Adjective (Zoology):
Describes an animal, particularly an insect or bird, that has wings formed of a thin membrane (a "web" of skin), such as a bat or dragonfly. The term combines "web" (a net-like structure) and "winged" (having wings), specifically referring to wings that are membranous rather than feathered or scaled.
- (The bat's wings are made of a thin membrane.)
- (Their wings are transparent and membrane-like.)
- (Bats are the most common example.)
"web-winged flight": refers to the aerodynamic properties of membranous wings.
- Web-winged flight allows bats to maneuver in tight spaces. (The membrane wings enable agile movement.)
"web-winged morphology": the anatomical structure of such wings.
- The web-winged morphology of pterosaurs is studied in paleontology. (The wing structure of ancient flying reptiles.)
Webbed (adj): having a web-like structure, often used for feet (e.g., webbed feet of ducks).
- The frog's webbed feet help it swim, but it is not web-winged. (Webbed refers to toes, not wings.)
Winged (adj): having wings of any type.
- All birds are winged, but not all are web-winged. (Feathered wings vs. membranous wings.)
- Membranous-winged: having wings composed of a thin layer of tissue.
- Chiropteran: specifically relating to bats (order Chiroptera), which are web-winged.
"Spread one's wings": to begin a new, independent endeavor (not directly related to web-winged, but uses the concept of wings).
- After college, she spread her wings and moved abroad. (She became independent.)
"On the wing": in flight; while flying.
- The web-winged bat was captured on the wing. (Photographed while flying.)