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

noun

• mesothoraces
  plural
• mesothoraxes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mesothorax

First recorded in 1820–30; meso- + thorax

Example Sentences

On this new mesothorax the characteristic arrangement of the bristles is shown.

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

Prothoracic segment a little longer than the mesothorax which, in turn, slightly exceeds the metathorax.

From Journal of Entomology and Zoology Volume 11, Number 4, December 1919 by Alexander, Charles P.

Wings.—Two pairs of wings are present in the vast majority of insects, borne respectively on the mesothorax and metathorax.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

Post-sutural: in Trichoptera, the little plate behind the scutellum of mesothorax: = post-scutellum.

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

Lastly, we count nine pairs of stigmata: one pair on the mesothorax and the rest on the first eight segments of the abdomen.

From The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles by Teixeira de Mattos, Alexander