sclerite

American  

[skleer-ahyt, skler-] / ˈsklɪər aɪt, ˈsklɛr- /

noun

Zoology.

1. any chitinous, calcareous, or similar hard part, plate, spicule, or the like.

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sclerite British  

/ ˈsklɪəraɪt /

noun

1. any of the hard chitinous plates that make up the exoskeleton of an arthropod

2. any calcareous or chitinous part, such as a spicule or plate

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Other Word Forms

• scleritic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of sclerite

First recorded in 1860–65; scler- + -ite ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sclerite

Orbital sclerite: a narrow sclerite encircling some eyes.

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

Cardines: the hinge or basal sclerite of the maxilla by means of which it is jointed to the head.

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

Metasternal episterna: sclerite situated on each side of the metasternum, immediately behind the mesosternum epimera.

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

Uropygi.—Prosoma longer than wide, its sternal area very narrow, furnished with a large prosternal and metasternal plate, and often with a small mesosternal sclerite.

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

Opisthosoma without trace of appendages; its posterior somites narrowed to form a movable tail for the support of the post-anal sclerite, which has no poison glands.

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

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