cercus

[ sur-kuh s, 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.

Nearby words

cerci, cercis, cerclage, cercocystis, cercopithecoid, cercus, cere, cerea flexibilitas, cereal, cereal leaf beetle, cerebellar artery

Origin of cercus

1820–30; < New Latin < Greek kérkos tail

Related formscer·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cerci

The cerci appear to have been long, slender, very spinose organs much like the antennules, but stiff rather than flexible.
The Appendages, Anatomy, and Relationships of Trilobites|Percy Edward Raymond
Cercopoda: jointed foot-like appendages of the last abdominal segment; also applied like cerci.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith
The carabid larva is an active well-armoured grub with the legs and cerci variable in length.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6|Various
Fighting between sexually excited males resulted in injury to their legs, wings, cerci, and other parts of the body.
The Biotic Associations of Cockroaches|Louis M. Roth

Cerci always present; usually modified into unjointed forceps.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for cerci

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

Medicine definitions for cerci

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.