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prothorax

[ proh-thawr-aks, -thohr- ]
/ proʊˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr- /
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noun, plural pro·tho·rax·es, pro·tho·ra·ces [proh-thawr-uh-seez, -thohr-] /proʊˈθɔr əˌsiz, -ˈθoʊr-/.

the anterior division of the thorax of an insect, bearing the first pair of legs.

Nearby words

prothetic, prothonotary, prothonotary apostolic, prothonotary warbler, prothoracic gland, prothorax, prothrombin, prothrombin accelerator, prothrombin test, prothrombinase, protist

Origin of prothorax

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at pro-1, thorax
Related formspro·tho·rac·ic [proh-thaw-ras-ik, -thoh-] /ˌproʊ θɔˈræs ɪk, -θoʊ-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prothorax

British Dictionary definitions for prothorax

prothorax

/ (prəʊˈθɔːræks) /

noun plural -thoraxes or -thoraces (-ˈθɔːrəˌsiːz)

the first segment of the thorax of an insect, which bears the first pair of walking legsSee also mesothorax, metathorax
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012