sclerite

scle·rite  (sklîrt)

n.

A chitinous or calcareous plate, spicule, or similar part of an invertebrate, especially one of the hard outer plates forming part of the exoskeleton of an arthropod.

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sclerite [ˈsklɪəraɪt]

n Zoology

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) any of the hard chitinous plates that make up the exoskeleton of an arthropod

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) any calcareous or chitinous part, such as a spicule or plate

[from sclero- + -ite¹]

scleritic  [sklɪəˈrɪtɪk] adj

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sclerite - hard plate or element of the exoskeleton of some arthropods arthropod - invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin protective covering - the tough natural covering of some organisms