tarsus

noun

tar·​sus ˈtär-səs How to pronounce tarsus (audio)
plural tarsi ˈtär-ˌsī How to pronounce tarsus (audio) -ˌsē How to pronounce tarsus (audio)
1
: the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg
also : the small bones that support this part of the foot and include bones of the ankle, heel, and arch
2
: the tarsal plate of the eyelid
3
: the distal part of the limb of an arthropod
4

Examples of tarsus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It can be easily controlled to perform a gripping motion akin to an insect tarsus (i.e., wrapping around the object) for handling various objects. IEEE Spectrum, 19 May 2023 Meanwhile, wing length showed a mean increase of 1.3%, with the species showing the fastest declines in tarsus length also showing the most rapid gains in wing length. Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Dec. 2019 The scientists measured the birds’ overall body size, body mass, wingspan and the length of a lower leg bone known as the tarsus, which shrank by 2.4 percent across species. NBC News, 5 Dec. 2019 In particular, the length of the tarsus or lower leg bone, shrank by 2.4%. Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Dec. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek tarsos wickerwork mat, flat of the foot, ankle, edge of the eyelid; akin to Greek tersesthai to become dry — more at thirst

First Known Use

circa 1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tarsus was circa 1615

Dictionary Entries Near tarsus

Cite this Entry

“Tarsus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarsus. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tarsus

noun
tar·​sus ˈtär-səs How to pronounce tarsus (audio)
plural tarsi -ˌsī How to pronounce tarsus (audio)
-ˌsē
1
: the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg
also : the small bones that support this part of the foot and include bones of the ankle, heel, and arch
2
: the lower and longest part of a bird's leg
3
: the part of the limb of an arthropod (as an insect) most distant from the body

Medical Definition

tarsus

noun
tar·​sus ˈtär-səs How to pronounce tarsus (audio)
plural tarsi -ˌsī How to pronounce tarsus (audio) -ˌsē How to pronounce tarsus (audio)
1
: the part of the foot of a vertebrate between the metatarsus and the leg
also : the small bones supporting this part of the limb that include the three cuneiform bones and the cuboid in a distal row and the navicular, calcaneus, and talus in a proximal row
2

Geographical Definition

Tarsus

geographical name

Tar·​sus ˈtär-səs How to pronounce Tarsus (audio)
city in southern Turkey near the Cilician Gates population 187,508

Note: Tarsus was the capital of ancient Cilicia.

More from Merriam-Webster on tarsus

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!