cercus
[ sur-kuhs, ker- ]
/ ˈsɜr kəs, ˈkɛr- /
noun, plural cer·ci [sur-sahy, ker-kee]. /ˈsɜr saɪ, ˈkɛr ki/.
one of a pair of appendages at the rear of the abdomen of certain insects and other arthropods, serving as tactile organs.
QUIZZES
LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!
Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
Origin of cercus
1820–30; <New Latin <Greek kérkos tail
OTHER WORDS FROM cercus
cercal, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for cercus
British Dictionary definitions for cercus
cercus
/ (ˈsɜːkəs) /
noun plural -ci (-siː)
one of a pair of sensory appendages at the tip of the abdomen of some insects and other arthropods
Word Origin for cercus
C19: from New Latin, from Greek kerkos tail
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for cercus
cercus
[ sûr′kəs ]
n. pl. cer•ci (sûr′sī, -kī)
A stiff hairlike structure.
Either of a pair of terminal, dorsolateral sensory appendages of certain insects, such as the female mosquito.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.