cercus
[ sur-kuhs, ker- ]
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.
Origin of cercus
11820–30; <New Latin <Greek kérkos tail
Other words from cercus
- cercal, adjective
Words Nearby cercus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for cercus
cercus
/ (ˈsɜːkəs) /
nounplural -ci (-siː)
one of a pair of sensory appendages at the tip of the abdomen of some insects and other arthropods
Origin of cercus
1C19: 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
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