tergum

[ tur-guh m ]
/ ˈtɜr gəm /

noun, plural ter·ga [tur-guh] /ˈtɜr gə/. Zoology.

the dorsal surface of a body segment of an arthropod.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tergum

1820–30; < Latin: the back

Words nearby tergum

terf, terfel, tergal, tergite, tergiversate, tergum, terhune, teriyaki, term, term day, term infant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for terga

British Dictionary definitions for terga

tergum
/ (ˈtɜːɡəm) /

noun plural -ga (-ɡə)

a cuticular plate covering the dorsal surface of a body segment of an arthropodCompare sternum (def. 3)

Derived forms of tergum

tergal, adjective

Word Origin for tergum

C19: from Latin: the back
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