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cremaster

American  
[kri-mas-ter] / krɪˈmæs tər /

noun

  1. Entomology. a usually hooklike process on the posterior tip of a chrysalis, for attaching the pupa to a stem, twig, etc.

  2. Anatomy. the suspensory muscle of the testis.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of cremaster

1670–80; < Latin < Greek kremastḗr literally, suspender, akin to kremannýnai to hang

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Descending from the internal oblique muscle of the abdominal wall are the two cremaster muscles, which cover each testis like a muscular net.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

Divining this in Barney's art, you can begin with the word cremaster.

From Time Magazine Archive

The cremaster is a characteristic structure in the pupa of a moth or butterfly.

From The Life-Story of Insects by George H. (George Herbert) Carpenter

The means by which the suspended pupa of a nymphalid butterfly attaches its cremaster to the silken pad which the larva has spun in preparation for pupation, is worthy of brief attention.

From The Life-Story of Insects by George H. (George Herbert) Carpenter

In the numerous cases where the pupa is enclosed in a cocoon, the cremaster serves to fix the pupa to the surrounding silk.

From The Life-Story of Insects by George H. (George Herbert) Carpenter

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