haltere

noun

hal·​tere ˈhȯl-ˌtir How to pronounce haltere (audio)
ˈhal-
plural halteres ˈhȯl-ˌtirz How to pronounce haltere (audio)
ˈhal-;
hȯl-ˈtir-ēz,
hal-
: one of a pair of club-shaped organs in a dipteran fly that are the modified second pair of wings and function as sensory flight stabilizers

Word History

Etymology

New Latin halter, from Latin, jumping weight, from Greek haltēr, from hallesthai to leap — more at sally

First Known Use

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haltere was circa 1823

Dictionary Entries Near haltere

Cite this Entry

“Haltere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haltere. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

haltere

noun
hal·​tere ˈhȯl-ˌti(ə)r How to pronounce haltere (audio)
ˈhal-
plural halteres hȯl-ˈti(ə)r-(ˌ)ēz How to pronounce haltere (audio)
ˈhȯl-ˌti(ə)rz
: one of a pair of club-shaped organs that are the modified second pair of wings of a two-winged fly and serve to maintain balance in flight

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