1. to remove the wings from (an insect, especially an ant or termite)
Usage: entomology; technical

1. having had the wings removed; wingless
Usage: entomology; technical

Examples

• The queen ant will dealate herself after mating, shedding her wings to begin a new colony.
• Scientists dealate the insects in the laboratory to study their behavior without flight.
• A dealate termite queen remains in the nest to lay eggs for the colony.
• The researchers carefully dealate each specimen before placing it under the microscope.
• Dealate ants are commonly found deep within the nest, away from the entrance.