prothorax

American  

[proh-thawr-aks, -thohr-] / proʊˈθɔr æks, -ˈθoʊr- /

noun

plural

prothoraxes, prothoraces

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

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prothorax British  

/ prəʊˈθɔːræks /

noun

1. the first segment of the thorax of an insect, which bears the first pair of walking legs See also mesothorax metathorax

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Other Word Forms

• prothoracic adjective

Etymology

Origin of prothorax

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; pro- ¹, thorax

Example Sentences

"Observe the shortened prothorax and mesothorax and—" "And metathorax," chimed in the frump, her head close to his.

From The Haunted Pajamas by Elliott, Francis Perry

The larvae are more specialized than those of other Adephaga, the head and prothorax being very large and broad, the succeeding segments slender and incompletely chitinized.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various

Protergum: in Odonata, the upper surface of prothorax.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

The abdomen is oval, sandy-grey in hue and beset with warts and bristles; the prothorax forms a mobile neck for the large square head, which carries a pair of long and powerful toothed mandibles.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various

The Buprestidae are distinguished from the Elateridae by the immobility of the prosternal process in the mesosternal cavity and by the absence of the lateral processes at the hind corners of the prothorax.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various