tegmen

[ teg-muhn ]

noun

, plural teg·mi·na [teg, -m, uh, -n, uh].

1. a cover, covering, or integument.
2. Botany. the delicate inner integument of a seed. Compare testa ( def ).
3. Entomology. (in certain orthopterous insects) one of a pair of leathery forewings that forms a protective covering for the hindwings.

tegmen

/ ˈtɛɡmən /

noun

1. either of the leathery forewings of the cockroach and related insects
2. the delicate inner covering of a seed
3. any similar covering or layer

tegmen

/ tĕg′mən /

1. A covering or integument, such as the tough leathery forewing of certain insects or the inner coat of a seed.

Derived Forms

• ˈtegminal, adjective

Other Words From

• teg·mi·nal [teg, -m, uh, -nl], adjective
• sub·teg·mi·nal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tegmen¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin: “a covering” (also tegumen, tegimen ), from teg(ere) “to cover” + -men, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of tegmen¹

C19: from Latin: a cover, variant of tegimen, from tegere to cover

Example Sentences

The gorgeous waistcoats of Leech's pencil and Calverley's 'crurum non enarrabile tegmen' belong to ancient history.

From Project Gutenberg

For myself I have little doubt that from the earliest division of the community into septs or clans, the chiefs assumed the pattern of this "tegmen versicolor" which best pleased them, and in course of time the pattern distinguished the wearers as belonging to such and such chiefs.

From Project Gutenberg

The auditory regions are relatively massive and bear narrow tegmen tympani; the distal ends of the tegmen tympani are medial to the lateral edge of the pterygoids in dorsal view.

From Project Gutenberg

The delicate, spindle-shaped columellae lie ventral to the tegmen tympani and squamosals, are spatulate distally, and have a broad basal attachment to the auditory region.

From Project Gutenberg

The tegmen tympani are relatively large, but proportionately short.

From Project Gutenberg