mesothorax

[ mez-uh-thawr-aks, -thohr-, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh- ]

noun

, plural mes·o·tho·rax·es, mes·o·tho·ra·ces [mez-, uh, -, thawr, -, uh, -seez, -, thohr, -, mes-, mee-z, uh, -, -s, uh, -].

1. the middle segment of the three divisions of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of legs and the first pair of wings.

mesothorax

/ ˌmɛsəʊˈθɔːræks; ˌmɛsəʊθɔːˈræsɪk /

noun

1. the middle segment of the thorax of an insect, bearing the second pair of walking legs and the first pair of wings See also prothorax metathorax

Derived Forms

• mesothoracic, adjective

Other Words From

• mes·o·tho·rac·ic [mez-, uh, -thaw-, ras, -ik, -thoh-, mes-, mee-z, uh, -, -s, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesothorax¹

First recorded in 1820–30; meso- + thorax

Example Sentences

The 17 prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax bear spines varying in number.

From Project Gutenberg

In Coleoptera it consists of a tense elastic membrane, which is quite covered by the Mesothorax.

From Project Gutenberg

This term may be applied to the Mesothorax in heteropterous Hemiptera, in which that part lies buried under the Prothorax.

From Project Gutenberg

These beetles, when irritated, make a squeaking chirrup by rubbing together the prothorax and mesothorax.

From Project Gutenberg

The mesothorax is triangular, with the apex posteriorly, and bears the greatly atrophied first pair of wings.

From Project Gutenberg