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osmeterium

[ oz-mi-teer-ee-uhm ]
/ ˌɒz mɪˈtɪər i əm /

noun, plural os·me·te·ri·a [oz-mi-teer-ee-uh]. /ˌɒz mɪˈtɪər i ə/.

a glandular process on the first thoracic segment of many caterpillars that emits a noxious odor to ward off predators.

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Origin of osmeterium

First recorded in 1815–20; from New Latin osmētērium, from Greek osmḗ “odor, smell” + -tērion noun suffix for places and utensils, akin to Latin -tōrium; see -tory2

Words nearby osmeterium

Osman, Osman I, Osmanli, osmate, osmatic, osmeterium, osmic, osmic acid, osmics, osmidrosis, osmiophilic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020