mesothorax

American  

[mez-uh-thawr-aks, -thohr-, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] / ˌmɛz əˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr-, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

• mesothoraxes,
  plural
• mesothoraces
  plural

1. the middle segment of the three divisions of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of legs and the first pair of wings.

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mesothorax British  

/ ˌmɛsəʊˈθɔːræks /

noun

1. the middle segment of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of walking legs and the first pair of wings See also prothorax metathorax

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• mesothoracic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mesothoraces
  plural
• mesothoraxes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mesothorax

First recorded in 1820–30; meso- + thorax

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mesothorax

Thorax finely punctured, with the disk of the mesothorax impunctate; wings dark brown with a rich coppery iridescence.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

He used Geoffroy's Loi de balancement to explain cases of correlative development, such as the relation between the size of the front wings and the development of the mesothorax.

From Form and Function A Contribution to the History of Animal Morphology by E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell

These beetles, when irritated, make a squeaking chirrup by rubbing together the prothorax and mesothorax.

From The Dawn of Reason or, Mental Traits in the Lower Animals by James Weir

"Observe the shortened prothorax and mesothorax and—" "And metathorax," chimed in the frump, her head close to his.

From The Haunted Pajamas by Francis Perry Elliott

Prothoracic segment a little longer than the mesothorax which, in turn, slightly exceeds the metathorax.

From Journal of Entomology and Zoology Volume 11, Number 4, December 1919 by Charles P. Alexander

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