pompil1dæ

pl. [Mod. Lat. pompil (us); Lat. fem. pl. adj. sutf. -idæ.] Entom.: A family of Aculeated Hymenoptera. Antennæ long, not geniculate; eyes not notched within; prothorax produced on each side as far as the roots of the wings, as in the true wasps. Wings not folding longitudinally, large and broad, with submarginal cells. Legs long, and tibiæ spined, their apex with long spines. The Pompilide, with their long legs, somewhat resemble spiders. They have often beautiful wings. They are very active, make their nests in sand, and store them with spiders, caterpillars, ., Known species seven or eight hundred. *pom-pil-lion (i as y), *popilion, s . [O. Fr. populeon , from Lat. populus a poplar (q. v.).] A pomatum or ointment prepared from black poplar buds. (Cotgrave.)