tergum
[
tur
-g
uh
m]
/ˈtɜr gəm/
noun
,
plural
terga
[
tur
-g
uh
]
/ˈtɜr gə/
(
Show IPA
).
Zoology
1.
the dorsal surface of a body segment of an arthropod.
Origin
1820-30;
<
Latin:
the back
British Dictionary definitions for
tergum
tergum
/
ˈtɜːɡəm
/
noun
(
pl
)
-ga
(
-ɡə
)
1.
a cuticular plate covering the dorsal surface of a body segment of an arthropod
Compare
sternum
(sense 3)
Derived Forms
tergal,
adjective
Word Origin
C19: from Latin: the back