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

Etymology

Origin of cercus

1820–30; < New Latin < Greek kérkos tail

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

Infra-cereal plates: in Orthoptera - generally inconspicuous paired plates which underlie in part the cerci and in part the lateral portion of the supra-anal plate.

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

The carabid larva is an active well-armoured grub with the legs and cerci variable in length.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" 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

With very few exceptions, the larva in this group is active and campodeiform, with cerci and elongate legs as in the Adephaga, but the leg has only four segments and one claw.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various