sb. pl. [prop. adj. pl. neut. of Gr. ἀδηφάγ-ος voracious (sc. animalia) f. ἄδην enough + -φαγος eating.] A name applied to a family or group of Beetles, also called Carnivora, and divided into the two sections of Geodephaga and Hydradephaga. An occ. sing. is Adephagan.
1842. Brande, Dict. Sci., 15. Adephagans, Adephaga, a family of carnivorous and very voracious coleopterous insects.
