1. orthopteraor*thopte*ra , n. pl. [nl., fr. gr. 'orqo`s straight + feather, wing.] (zo?l.) an order of mandibulate insects including grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, etc. see: illust. under insect.note: the anterior wings are usually thickened and protect the posterior wings, which are larger and fold longitudinally like a fan. the orthoptera undergo no metamorphosis