metathorax

American  

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

noun

metathoraxes, plural metathoraces plural

1. 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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metathorax British  

/ ˌmɛtəˈθɔːræks, ˌmɛtəθɔːˈræsɪk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• metathoracic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• metathoraxes
  plural
• metathoraces
  plural

Etymology

Origin of metathorax

First recorded in 1810–20; meta- + thorax

Example Sentences

Thorax: the metathorax densely clothed with silvery pubescence, beneath, at the sides, and also the legs with scattered silvery hairs, the calcaria white; the tegulæ shining; the wings subhyaline with the nervures dark fuscous.

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

The metathorax transversely and rather finely rugose, the truncation more strongly striated; the scutellum shining; the wings subhyaline, the nervures ferruginous; the tibiæ with scattered spines, the tarsi spinose.

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

But the loudest and most remarkable vocal organs of all insects are those of the male cicads, which “sing” by the rapid vibration of a pair of “drums” or membranes within the metathorax.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

The body is long and cylindrical, consisting of thirteen segments; the head is armed with powerful jaws; the three following segments, the future prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax, each bears a pair of simple articulated legs.

From On the Origin and Metamorphoses of Insects by Lubbock, John, Sir

"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