sternum

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin sternum, related to Old English steorn (“forehead”), German Stirn (“forehead”).

noun

  1. (anatomy) The breastbone, consisting of the manubrium, gladiolus, and xiphoid process.
    The neckline fell into a V, showing the bone of his sternum. 2020, Akwaeke Emezi, The Death of Vivek Oji, Faber & Faber, page 231
  2. (arachnology) The sclerotized ventral plate of spiders, between the coxae, marking the floor of the cephalothorax.

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