patagium

[ puh-tey-jee-uhm ]

noun

, plural pa·ta·gi·a [p, uh, -, tey, -jee-, uh].

1. a wing membrane, as of a bat.
2. the extensible fold of skin of certain insects or of a gliding mammal or reptile, as a flying squirrel.
3. either of two small processes on the anterior thorax, found especially among butterflies and moths.

patagium

/ pəˈteɪdʒɪəm /

noun

1. a web of skin between the neck, limbs, and tail in bats and gliding mammals that functions as a wing
2. a membranous fold of skin connecting margins of a bird's wing to the shoulder

Word History and Origins

Origin of patagium¹

1820–30; < New Latin, special use of Latin patagium tunic border

Word History and Origins

Origin of patagium¹

C19: New Latin from Latin, from Greek patageion gold border on a tunic

Example Sentences

Colugos pull off those long-distance glides with their gliding skin, known as a patagium.

From Science News

On each side of the thorax there is a shoulder lappet (patagium) which has its base on the front part of the thorax also.

From Project Gutenberg

Patagium incomplete, with convex chamber-rows, envelops about two-thirds of the arms.

From Project Gutenberg

Patagium incomplete, with two to three concave chamber-rows, enveloping only the basal half of the arms.

From Project Gutenberg

Patagium enveloping only the basal half of the arms, forming a regular triangle with concave sides.

From Project Gutenberg

Patagium complete, enveloping the whole shell with exception of the terminal spines.

From Project Gutenberg