mouthpart

[ mouth-pahrt ]

noun

1. Usually mouthparts. the appendages surrounding or associated with the mouth of arthropods.

mouthpart

/ ˈmaʊθˌpɑːt /

noun

1. any of the paired appendages in arthropods that surround the mouth and are specialized for feeding

mouthpart

/ mouth′pärt′ /

1. Any of the parts of the mouth of an insect or other arthropod, especially a part or organ used for a specific way of feeding.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mouthpart¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; mouth + part

Example Sentences

Female offspring that inherit two copies of a broken doublesex gene develop mouthparts and genitalia that are closer to the male form.

From Science News

The researchers targeted genes that aid in the development of the the animal’s mouthparts and armor.

From Popular-Science

Frogs eat parasites and tiny creatures like ants that are too small for a tarantula to get their mouthparts around, but that can attack and eat a spider’s eggs.

From Popular-Science

Their simple bodies have a tubelike shape with the mouthpart and tentacles at one end, and a “foot” that attaches to the surrounding rock or other solid surface at the other.

From Popular-Science

However, both Oxitec and the EPA say the company is only releasing male mosquitoes, which lack the mouthparts to bite.

From Time