tergum

American  

[tur-guhm] / ˈtɜr gəm /

noun

Zoology.

plural

terga

1. the dorsal surface of a body segment of an arthropod.

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tergum British  

/ ˈtɜːɡəm /

noun

1. a cuticular plate covering the dorsal surface of a body segment of an arthropod Compare sternum

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Other Word Forms

• tergal adjective

Etymology

Origin of tergum

1820–30; < Latin: the back

Example Sentences

Repente post tergum equitatus cernitur: 20 cohortes aliae appropinquant.

From Helps to Latin Translation at Sight by Luce, Edmund

Ibla Cumingii, Internal view of the scutum and tergum, and of the upper part of the outer integument of the peduncle, with its horny spines magnified about three times. 8c�.

From A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia With Figures of all the Species. by Darwin, Charles

Ter′gite, the tergum or back of one of the somites or segments of an arthropod, &c.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

A tergo, habitu lugubri, pullato, laceroque Pœnitentia subsequitur, qu� capite in tergum deflexo, cum lachrymis, ac pudore procul venientem Veritatem agnoscit, et excipit.”

From Calamities and Quarrels of Authors by Disraeli, Isaac

The posterior carapace of the Trilobites and of Limulus is probably enough in origin a telsonic carapace—that is to say, is the tergum of the last segment of the body which carries the anus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3 "Apollodorus" to "Aral" by Various