cremaster

American  

[kri-mas-ter] / krɪˈmæs tər /

noun

1. Entomology. a usually hooklike process on the posterior tip of a chrysalis, for attaching the pupa to a stem, twig, etc.

2. Anatomy. the suspensory muscle of the testis.

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Other Word Forms

• cremasterial adjective
• cremasteric adjective

Etymology

Origin of cremaster

1670–80; < Latin < Greek kremastḗr literally, suspender, akin to kremannýnai to hang

Example Sentences

Descending from the internal oblique muscle of the abdominal wall are the two cremaster muscles, which cover each testis like a muscular net.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Divining this in Barney's art, you can begin with the word cremaster.

From Time Magazine Archive

There are also two proper coats—the outer called cliotrodes, or virginales; the inner albugidia; in the outer the cremaster is inserted.

From The Works of Aristotle the Famous Philosopher Containing his Complete Masterpiece and Family Physician; his Experienced Midwife, his Book of Problems and his Remarks on Physiognomy by Aristotle

The means by which the suspended pupa of a nymphalid butterfly attaches its cremaster to the silken pad which the larva has spun in preparation for pupation, is worthy of brief attention.

From The Life-Story of Insects by Carpenter, George H. (George Herbert)

In the numerous cases where the pupa is enclosed in a cocoon, the cremaster serves to fix the pupa to the surrounding silk.

From The Life-Story of Insects by Carpenter, George H. (George Herbert)