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 disk very closely punctured, the metathorax rugose; the sides and the legs with a fine glittering sericeous pile, the wings subhyaline, their apical margins fuscous, the nervures fuscous.

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

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

"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

Metasternum: the underside or breast of the metathorax.

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

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