tarsus

¹

[ tahr-suhs ]

noun

, plural tar·si [tahr, -sahy, -see].

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the bones of the proximal segment of the foot; the bones between the tibia and the metatarsus, contributing to the construction of the ankle joint.
2. the small plate of connective tissue along the border of an eyelid.
3. tarsometatarsus.
4. the distal part of the leg of an insect, usually subdivided in the adult into two to five segments.

Tarsus

²

[ tahr-suhs ]

noun

1. a city in S Turkey, near the Mediterranean, on the Cydnus River: important seaport of ancient Cilicia; birthplace of Saint Paul.

tarsus

¹

/ ˈtɑːsəs /

noun

1. the bones of the ankle and heel, collectively
2. 1. the corresponding part in other mammals and in amphibians and reptiles
   2. another name for tarsometatarsus
3. the dense connective tissue supporting the free edge of each eyelid
4. the part of an insect's leg that lies distal to the tibia

Tarsus

²

/ ˈtɑːsəs /

noun

1. a city in SE Turkey, on the Tarsus River: site of ruins of ancient Tarsus, capital of Cilicia, and birthplace of St Paul. Pop: 231 000 (2005 est)
2. a river in SE Turkey, in Cilicia, rising in the Taurus Mountains and flowing south past Tarsus to the Mediterranean. Length: 153 km (95 miles) Ancient nameCydnus

tarsus

/ tär′səs /

, Plural tarsi tär′sī,-sē

1. The group of seven bones lying between the leg and the metatarsals and forming part of the ankle.
2. The group of bones lying between the leg and metatarsals in the hind feet in some vertebrates, such as dinosaurs and birds.
3. A fibrous plate that supports and shapes the edge of the eyelid.
4. The lower part of the leg of an arthropod, usually divided into segments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarsus¹

1670–80; < New Latin < Greek tarsós flat of the foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarsus¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek tarsos flat surface, instep

Example Sentences

This force relies on the parasite’s highly adapted feet, called tarsi, which are equipped with toothed claws.

From Scientific American

The daily health checks involve measurements of the birds' weight, wing length, head-bill and part of the foot called the tarsus.

From BBC

Additionally, they were smaller and had a slower-growing lower leg bone called the tarsus.

From Scientific American

“Furthermore, each leg of mine has seven sections—the coxa, the trochanter, the femur, the patella, the tibia, the metatarsus, and the tarsus.”

From Literature

In addition, it hosts the smallest primate in the world, the tarsus tarsier, which fits in the palm of your hand.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• bone