amplexus

[am-plek-suhs]

noun

plural

amplexuses, amplexus 

1. the clasping posture of fertilization in frogs and toads.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amplexus¹

1925–30; < New Latin, Latin: embrace, equivalent to amplect ( ī ) to embrace ( am-, variant of ambi- ambi- + plectī, deponent of plectere to plait, twine; complex, plexus ) + -tus suffix of v. action

Example Sentences

The Animal Behaviour category was won by Ian Mason with this picture titled Three Frogs in Amplexus.

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All the logic and desire that guides a female frog to a specific pond vanishes once she arrives, and a melee ensues as males race to cling to her in a tight embrace called amplexus.

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About midnight, the few remaining fix to leave, but stay to ogle when someone spots a wood frog amplexus — a pre-fertilization embrace.

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To mate, frogs embrace in a position called amplexus: The male frog clings to the female until he can fertilize her eggs as she lays them.

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Romeo is giving up his worm meals for Juliet and trying his best to perfect amplexus.

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