mesothorax

[ mez-uh-thawr-aks, -thohr-, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh- ]

/ ˌmɛz əˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr-, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə- /

noun, plural mes·o·tho·rax·es, mes·o·tho·ra·ces [mez-uh-thawr-uh-seez, -thohr-, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] /ˌmɛz əˈθɔr əˌsiz, -ˈθoʊr-, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə-/.

the middle segment of the three divisions of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of legs and the first pair of wings.

Nearby words

mesosystolic, mesotendineum, mesothelioma, mesothelium, mesotherapy, mesothorax, mesothorium, mesotron, mesovarium, mesozoa, mesozoan

Origin of mesothorax

First recorded in 1820–30; meso- + thorax

Related forms

mes·o·tho·rac·ic

[mez-uh-thaw-ras-ik, -thoh-, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] /ˌmɛz ə θɔˈræs ɪk, -θoʊ-, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mesothorax

When it is covered by the mesothorax; it is then usually a mere membrane.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4)|William Kirby
Mesothorax: the second or middle thoracic ring; bears the middle legs and the anterior wings.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith
When behind it terminates in a long scutelliform process which covers the Mesothorax, Metathorax, and great part of the Abdomen.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4)|William Kirby
The next segment is the mesothorax, which is immovably fused to the next thoracic segment.
Elementary Zoology, Second Edition|Vernon L. Kellogg

The anterior segment is known as the prothorax, the middle segment as the mesothorax, and the after segment as the metathorax.
The Butterfly Book|William Jacob Holland

British Dictionary definitions for mesothorax

mesothorax

/ (ˌmɛsəʊˈθɔːræks) /

noun plural -raxes or -races (-rəˌsiːz)

the middle segment of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of walking legs and the first pair of wingsSee also prothorax, metathorax

Derived Forms

mesothoracic (ˌmɛsəʊθɔːˈræsɪk), adjective

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