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.

Words nearby metathorax

metathalamus, metatheory, metatherian, metathesis, metathesize, metathorax, metatoluidine, metatrophic, metatropic dwarfism, metaverse, metaxas

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for metathorax

The ventral part of this segment is dovetailed into the ventral part of the metathorax and appears to be part of it.
Elementary Zoology, Second Edition|Vernon L. Kellogg
Thorax: the scutellum prominent, forming a rounded tubercle, the metathorax elongate and oblique.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society - Vol. 3|Various
The metathorax, or last segment of the thorax, is a little larger still in diameter and protrudes.
The Life of the Fly|J. Henri Fabre
The upper side of this is the metathorax, and its lower side the postpectus.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby

When behind it terminates in a long scutelliform process which covers the Mesothorax, Metathorax, and great part of the Abdomen.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4)|William Kirby

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