sb. pl. Zool. Rarely chir-. [mod.L. (Cuvier), f. Gr. χείρο- hand- + -πτερος winged. (Cheiropter [= F. chiroptère] has been used as a singular.)] An order of Mammalia, distinguished by greatly elongated finger-bones supporting a membrane or ‘wing’ attached to the posterior limbs and the side of the body, and adapted for flight; the Bats.
1835. Kirby, Hab. & Inst. Anim., II. xvii. 156. Bats and vampyres … are denominated Cheiroptera, or hand-winged.
1878. L. Wingfield, Lady Grizel, III. iii. 4. A hectoring bat, a blustering cheiropter.
1878. Bell, Gegenbaur’s Comp. Anat., 437. They agree with most of the chiroptera.
Hence Cheiropteran a., belonging to the Cheiroptera; as sb. a member of the Cheiroptera. Cheiropterous a., of or belonging to the Cheiroptera; having winged ‘hands.’
1835. Kirby, Hab. & Inst. Anim., II. xxiv. 487. One tribe … the Cheiropterans … seems rather to form an Osculant Order between it [the Predaceans] and the Quadrumanes.
1866. Athenæum, No. 2004. 402/1. The little-known chiropteran genus Aello.
