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tarsus
[ tahr-suhs ]
/ ˈtɑr səs /
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noun, plural tar·si [tahr-sahy, -see]. /ˈtɑr saɪ, -si/.
Anatomy, Zoology. the bones of the proximal segment of the foot; the bones between the tibia and the metatarsus, contributing to the construction of the ankle joint.
the small plate of connective tissue along the border of an eyelid.
the distal part of the leg of an insect, usually subdivided in the adult into two to five segments.
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Origin of tarsus
1670–80; <New Latin <Greek tarsós flat of the foot
Words nearby tarsus
tarsia, tarsier, Tarski, tarso-, tarsometatarsus, tarsus, tart, tartan, tartanry, tartar, tartarated
Other definitions for tarsus (2 of 2)
Tarsus
[ tahr-suhs ]
/ ˈtɑr səs /
noun
a city in S Turkey, near the Mediterranean, on the Cydnus River: important seaport of ancient Cilicia; birthplace of Saint Paul.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tarsus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tarsus (1 of 2)
tarsus
/ (ˈtɑːsəs) /
noun plural -si (-saɪ)
the bones of the ankle and heel, collectively
- the corresponding part in other mammals and in amphibians and reptiles
- another name for tarsometatarsus
the dense connective tissue supporting the free edge of each eyelid
the part of an insect's leg that lies distal to the tibia
Word Origin for tarsus
C17: from New Latin, from Greek tarsos flat surface, instep
British Dictionary definitions for tarsus (2 of 2)
Tarsus
/ (ˈtɑːsəs) /
noun
a city in SE Turkey, on the Tarsus River: site of ruins of ancient Tarsus, capital of Cilicia, and birthplace of St Paul. Pop: 231 000 (2005 est)
a river in SE Turkey, in Cilicia, rising in the Taurus Mountains and flowing south past Tarsus to the Mediterranean. Length: 153 km (95 miles)Ancient name: Cydnus
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for tarsus
tarsus
[ tär′səs ]
Plural tarsi (tär′sī, -sē)
The group of seven bones lying between the leg and the metatarsals and forming part of the ankle.
The group of bones lying between the leg and metatarsals in the hind feet in some vertebrates, such as dinosaurs and birds.
A fibrous plate that supports and shapes the edge of the eyelid.
The lower part of the leg of an arthropod, usually divided into segments.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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