palpus
[pal-puh s]
- an appendage attached to an oral part and serving as an organ of sense in insects, crustaceans, etc.
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Origin of palpus
1805–15; < New Latin, special use of Latin palpus a stroking, caress, palm of the hand; akin to feel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for palpus
antenna, hand, tentacle, finger, claw, whisker, barbel, vibrissa, palp, palpusExamples from the Web for palpus
Historical Examples of palpus
The mouth-parts in this genus are much as in Tomocerus, the maxillæ ending in a lacinia and palpus.
Our Common InsectsAlpheus Spring Packard
Each maxilla bears a slender feeler or palpus composed of five segments.
Elementary Zoology, Second EditionVernon L. Kellogg
When you touch him, he draws up slowly one leg after another, or moves a palpus feebly.
Children's LiteratureCharles Madison Curry
In x-notata (fig. 435) the palpus is as long as the cephalothorax, and the tarsus and palpal organ small and round.
The Common Spiders of the United StatesJames Henry Emerton
In montana (fig. 435a) the palpus is still shorter, the tibia thicker, and the tarsus and palpal organ larger.
The Common Spiders of the United StatesJames Henry Emerton