noun
any of various moths with long narrow forewings capable of powerful flight and hovering over flowers to feed
• Syn: ↑hawk moth, ↑sphingid, ↑sphinx moth, ↑hummingbird moth
• Hypernyms: ↑moth
• Hyponyms: ↑Manduca sexta, ↑Manduca quinquemaculata, ↑death's-head moth, ↑Acherontia atropos
• Member Holonyms: ↑Sphingidae, ↑family Sphingidae
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\\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun : any of numerous rather large stout-bodied moths constituting the family Sphingidae, having a long proboscis which at rest is kept coiled, long strong narrow fore wings more or less pointed at the ends, small hind wings, and stout antennae often hooked at the tip, and being usually quiet in coloration but often handsomely patterned and graceful and hovering in flight — called also sphinx moth; see hornworm
Useful english dictionary. 2012.