precoxal
|pre-cox-al|
🇺🇸
/priːˈkɑksəl/
🇬🇧
/priːˈkɒksəl/
relating to the precoxa (before the coxa)
Etymology
'precoxal' originates from Neo-Latin, specifically from 'precoxa' combined with the adjectival suffix '-al', where 'pre-' (from Latin 'prae-') meant 'before' and 'coxa' (Latin 'coxa') meant 'hip' or 'thigh' (used in anatomy for the basal leg segment).
'precoxal' formed in scientific/technical English from Neo-Latin 'precoxa' (a term used in entomology for a segment before the coxa) with the addition of the English adjectival suffix '-al' to indicate relation to that structure.
Initially it referred specifically to the Neo-Latin noun 'precoxa' (the structure before the coxa); over time it has been used as an English adjective meaning 'pertaining to or located at the precoxa'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or situated at the precoxa (the segment or region anterior to the coxa in arthropod/insect anatomy).
The precoxal plate was well developed in the specimen, showing a distinct precoxal ridge.
Last updated: 2025/10/02 13:24