tergal

[ tur-guhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the tergum.

Other Words From

• inter·tergal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tergal¹

First recorded in 1855–60; terg(um) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

When a male roach targets a female roach, he will back up to her, secreting a solution called a nuptial gift from the tergal gland under his wings.

From New York Times

When a male cockroach wants to mate with a female cockroach very much, he will scoot his butt toward her, open his wings and offer her a homemade meal — sugars and fats squished out of his tergal gland.

From New York Times

The “tergal hypothesis” suggests that wings originated on the tergum — the top of the insect body wall — perhaps as gliding membranes.

From New York Times

On Monday, Mr. Rodriques will head back to Purdue University to resume his doctoral research on the seductively sweet tergal secretions of German cockroaches.

From New York Times

Tergal, ter′gal, adj. pertaining to the back, dorsal.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg