mesothorax

American  

[mez-uh-thawr-aks, -thohr-, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] / ˌmɛz əˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr-, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

mesothoraxes, plural mesothoraces plural

1. 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.

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mesothorax British  

/ ˌmɛsəʊˈθɔːræks, ˌmɛsəʊθɔːˈræsɪk /

noun

1. the middle segment of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of walking legs and the first pair of wings See also prothorax metathorax

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• mesothoracic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mesothoraces
  plural
• mesothoraxes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mesothorax

First recorded in 1820–30; meso- + thorax

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mesothorax

The old metathorax is replaced by another mesothorax thrust in between the normal mesothorax and the abdomen.

From A Critique of the Theory of Evolution by Morgan, Thomas Hunt

Thorax: a black stripe on each side of the mesothorax over the tegulæ; the wings subhyaline, the nervures ferruginous, the superior pair fuscous at their apex.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

Thorax punctured, the disk of the mesothorax impunctate, the punctures wide apart on the scutellum and metathorax; the wings dark brown with a coppery iridescence, which has a remarkable dimness as if breathed upon.

From Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3 Zoology by Various

Mesosternellum: in Orthoptera, two median lobes of the mesosternum, one on each side of the deep median notch: in general, the sternellum of the mesothorax.

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

"Observe the shortened prothorax and mesothorax and—" "And metathorax," chimed in the frump, her head close to his.

From The Haunted Pajamas by Elliott, Francis Perry