cercus
[sur-kuh s, ker-]
- one of a pair of appendages at the rear of the abdomen of certain insects and other arthropods, serving as tactile organs.
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Origin of cercus
1820–30; < New Latin < Greek kérkos tail
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cerci
Historical Examples
Fighting between sexually excited males resulted in injury to their legs, wings, cerci, and other parts of the body.
The Biotic Associations of CockroachesLouis M. Roth
Some of these males attacked other males and a female that were introduced, by biting their legs and cerci.
The Biotic Associations of CockroachesLouis M. Roth
Cercopoda: jointed foot-like appendages of the last abdominal segment; also applied like cerci.
Explanation of Terms Used in EntomologyJohn. B. Smith
The carabid larva is an active well-armoured grub with the legs and cerci variable in length.
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 TrilobitesPercy Edward Raymond
cercus
- one of a pair of sensory appendages at the tip of the abdomen of some insects and other arthropods
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Word Origin
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
cercus
(sûr′kəs)- A stiff hairlike structure.
- Either of a pair of terminal, dorsolateral sensory appendages of certain insects, such as the female mosquito.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.