Aphaniptera (afaniptera)

pl. [NL., neut. pl. of aphanipterus: see aphanipterous.] An aberrant order of dipterous insects, the fleas and chigoes, degraded by parasitism. The abdomen is not distinct from the thorax (which is provided with abortive wings in the form of a pair of minute scales); the mouth is haustellate, consisting of two long mandíbles, a slender labrum, sheathing labial palps, and two long maxillary palps; the antenne are small; the the pupæ are inactive. The order is coextensive with the single family Pulicide, or fleas and chigoes. See Pulicidæ and cut under chigoe. Also called Aphanoptera, Suctoria, hinder legs are saltatorial; the larvæ are worm-like; and It is supposed to mean something nearly equivalent to outcrop (which see); but precisely in what it differs from outcrop has not been, neither does it seem capable of be ing, distinctly made out.] (e) In mining, the landing. point at the top of a slope. [Pennsylvania coal-mines.] 2. In Rom. antiq., a symbolic ornament which the flamens and some other priests were required by law to wear. It consisted of a small cone of olive-wood surrounded with a lock of wool, and was secured on the head by fillets or adjusted to a cap. - Apex of the heart, the lower pointed portion of the heart. apex-beat (a'peks-bēt), n. The pulsation of the chest-walls over the apex of the heart. aph-. [Gr. ἀφ-, a imilation of ἀπ- for άπο- before the aspirate.] A imilation of ap- for apo before the aspirate, aspirate, as in apheresis, aphelion, etc.