cercus

American  

[sur-kuhs, ker-] / ˈsɜr kəs, ˈkɛr- /

noun

• cerci
  plural

1. 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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cercus British  

/ ˈsɜːkəs /

noun

1. one of a pair of sensory appendages at the tip of the abdomen of some insects and other arthropods

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cercal
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cerci
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cercus

1820–30; < New Latin < Greek kérkos tail

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cerci

When the median caudal filament and two cerci were included, the total length reached 49.66 millimeters.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

The stylets, when present, are placed on the ninth segment, and in some Thysanura exist also on the eighth segment; their development takes place later in life than that of the cerci.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

Whether cerci, stylets and gonapophyses are developed from these rudiments has been much debated.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

Cercopoda: jointed foot-like appendages of the last abdominal segment; also applied like cerci.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by John. B. Smith

The cerci in Japyx are not, as usual, jointed feelers, but strong, curved appendages forming a forceps as in earwigs.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various

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