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 /

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

Nouns

• metathoraces
  plural
• metathoraxes
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of metathorax

First recorded in 1810–20; meta- + thorax

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

metathorax

The anterior margin of the prothorax slightly rebordered; the wings hyaline and iridescent, with a fuscous stain along the anterior margin of the superior pair; the metathorax abruptly truncate.

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

The metathorax bears the hind pair of wings and the third pair of legs.

From Butterflies Worth Knowing by Clarence M. Weed

Thorax: the sides and beneath with a thin silvery-white pile; the legs ferruginous with the coxæ black, the posterior pair red beneath; the thorax closely punctured, the metathorax transversely striated; wings fulvo-hyaline, the nervures pale-testaceous.

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

Metasternum: the underside or breast of the metathorax.

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

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 Sir John Lubbock

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