Monday word: halteres

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

Halteres (hælˈtɪəriːz), noun  (plural)
1. A small knobby pair of modified wings in some two-winged insects, used to maintain equilibrium during flight.
2. In ancient Greek sports, a pair of handheld weights used during long jump.

There is an excellent photo of insect halteres on a crane fly at wikipedia, along with a fine explanation of their source, and their function as gyroscopes.

Etymology of the entomology term:  18th century, from the Greek term for the long jump weights.

Comments

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Cool.