pleon

[plee-on]

noun

1. the abdomen of a crustacean.

Other Word Forms

• pleonal adjective
• pleonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleon¹

1850–55; noun use of Greek pléōn, present participle of pleîn to swim, sail; pleopod

Example Sentences

Telson, tel′son, n. the last somite of the pleon or abdomen of certain crustaceans and arachnidans.

From Project Gutenberg

In the former case the hind-body, consisting only of the abdomen, forms a pleon or tail-part devoid of feet, and the species so constructed are Gymnoplea, those of the naked or footless pleon.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be objected that hereby the term pleon is used in two different senses, first applying to the abdomen alone and then to the abdomen plus the last thoracic segment.

From Project Gutenberg

In the latter case the middle segment almost always carries with it to the hind-body a pair of rudimentary limbs, whence the term Podoplea, meaning species that have a pleon with feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Nun huakinthe lalei ta sa grammata kai pleon aiai!

From Project Gutenberg