cercus

[ sur-kuhs, ker- ]

noun,plural cer·ci [sur-sahy, ker-kee]. /ˈsɜr saɪ, ˈkɛr ki/.
  1. one of a pair of appendages at the rear of the abdomen of certain insects and other arthropods, serving as tactile organs.

Origin of cercus

1
1820–30; <New Latin <Greek kérkos tail

Other words from cercus

  • cercal, adjective

Words Nearby cercus

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British Dictionary definitions for cercus

cercus

/ (ˈsɜːkəs) /


nounplural -ci (-siː)
  1. one of a pair of sensory appendages at the tip of the abdomen of some insects and other arthropods

Origin of cercus

1
C19: from New Latin, from Greek kerkos tail

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