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osmeterium

[ oz-mi-teer-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural os·me·te·ri·a [oz-mi-, teer, -ee-, uh].
  1. a glandular process on the first thoracic segment of many caterpillars that emits a noxious odor to ward off predators.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of osmeterium1

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 -tory 2( def )

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