metathorax

[ met-uh-thawr-aks, -thohr- ]
/ ˌmɛt əˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr- /

noun, plural met·a·tho·rax·es, met·a·tho·ra·ces [met-uh-thawr-uh-seez, -thohr-] /ˌmɛt əˈθɔr əˌsiz, -ˈθoʊr-/.

the posterior division of the thorax of an insect, bearing the third pair of legs and the second pair of wings.

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Origin of metathorax

First recorded in 1810–20; meta- + thorax

OTHER WORDS FROM metathorax

met·a·tho·rac·ic [met-uh-thaw-ras-ik, -thoh-] /ˌmɛt ə θɔˈræs ɪk, -θoʊ-/, adjective

Words nearby metathorax

metathalamus, metatheory, metatherian, metathesis, metathesize, metathorax, metatoluidine, metatrophic, metatropic dwarfism, metaverse, metaxas
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for metathorax

British Dictionary definitions for metathorax

metathorax
/ (ˌmɛtəˈθɔːræks) /

noun plural -raxes or -races (-rəˌsiːz)

the third and last segment of an insect's thorax, which bears the third pair of walking legs and the second pair of wingsSee also prothorax, mesothorax

Derived forms of metathorax

metathoracic (ˌmɛtəθɔːˈræsɪk), 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