thorax

[ thawr-aks, thohr- ]
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noun,plural tho·rax·es, tho·ra·ces [thawr-uh-seez, thohr-]. /ˈθɔr əˌsiz, ˈθoʊr-/.
  1. Anatomy. the part of the trunk in humans and higher vertebrates between the neck and the abdomen, containing the cavity, enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and certain vertebrae, in which the heart, lungs, etc., are situated; chest.

  2. Zoology. a corresponding part in other animals.

  1. (in insects) the portion of the body between the head and the abdomen.

Origin of thorax

1
1350–1400; Middle English <Latin thōrāx<Greek thṓrāx breastplate, part of body which this covers

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British Dictionary definitions for thorax

thorax

/ (ˈθɔːræks) /


nounplural thoraxes or thoraces (ˈθɔːrəˌsiːz, θɔːˈreɪsiːz)
  1. the part of the human body enclosed by the ribs

  2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates

  1. the part of an insect's body between the head and abdomen, which bears the wings and legs

Origin of thorax

1
C16: via Latin from Greek thōrax breastplate, chest

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for thorax

thorax

[ thôrăks′ ]


Plural thoraxes thoraces (thôrə-sēz′)
  1. The upper part of the trunk in vertebrate animals. The thorax includes the rib cage, which encloses the heart and lungs. In mammals, the thorax lies above the abdomen and below the neck.

  2. The middle division of the body of an insect, to which the wings and legs are attached. The thorax lies between the head and the abdomen.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for thorax

thorax

[ (thawr-aks) ]


The part of the body between the neck and diaphragm; the chest.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.