pygidium

[ pahy-jid-ee-uhm ]

noun

, Zoology.

, plural py·gid·i·a [pahy-, jid, -ee-, uh].

1. any of various structures or regions at the caudal end of the body in certain invertebrates.

pygidium

/ -ˈɡɪd-; paɪˈdʒɪdɪəm /

noun

1. the terminal segment, division, or other structure in certain annelids, arthropods, and other invertebrates

Derived Forms

• pyˈgidial, adjective

Other Words From

• py·gidi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pygidium¹

1840–50; < New Latin < Greek pȳg ( ḗ ) rump + -idion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pygidium¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek pugē rump

Example Sentences

The trilobite spans 146 meters from cephalon to pygidium, or head to tail, and is carved into the shape of a spiny Ceraurus trilobite instead of the plainer state fossil, Calymene.

From Science Magazine

The trilobite spans 146 meters from cephalon to pygidium, or head to tail, and is carved into the shape of a spiny Ceraurus trilobite instead of the plainer state fossil, Calymene.

From Science Magazine

“This is part of his thorax. And we have a thoracic vertebrae here. And at the end here, they call it the pygidium. I call it the trilobutt.”

From Washington Times

Seen from above, it presents three divisions from front to rear:—first, a cephalic shield or head-piece; secondly, a thorax, divided into several segments movable upon each other; and thirdly, a tail-piece or pygidium, which, when brought against the head by the rolling up of the body segments, effectually covers the lower parts.

From Project Gutenberg

Median notch: in Coccidae, a notch in the edge of the pygidium, at the posterior extremity of the body.

From Project Gutenberg