sclerite

American  

[skleer-ahyt, skler-] / ˈsklɪər aɪt, ˈsklɛr- /

noun

Zoology.

1. any chitinous, calcareous, or similar hard part, plate, spicule, or the like.

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sclerite British  

/ sklɪəˈrɪtɪk, ˈsklɪəraɪt /

noun

1. any of the hard chitinous plates that make up the exoskeleton of an arthropod

2. any calcareous or chitinous part, such as a spicule or plate

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Other Word Forms

• scleritic adjective

Etymology

Origin of sclerite

First recorded in 1860–65; scler- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Post-scutellum: the fourth and posterior sclerite of the dorsum of the thoracic rings.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Mesepimeron: in Odonata: the sclerite between humeral and first lateral suture.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Platelet: a little plate or sclerite of chitin in a membrane.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

The coxae of the five pairs of limbs following the chelicerae were arranged in a series on each side between the mouth, M, and the metasternites, mets. sf, The sub-frontal median sclerite.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various

Post-anal sclerite modified as a long, many-jointed feeler.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various