Zool. and Comp. Anat. [f. STERN-UM + -ITE.] a. The under or ventral part of each somite or segment of the body of an insect or other arthropod: correlated with tergite and pleurite. b. = STERNEBRA. rare–0. (In recent Dicts.)
1868. Packard, Guide Study Insects, 9. The typical ring or segment … consists of an upper (tergite), a side (pleurite), and an under piece (sternite).
1882. Athenæum, 14 Jan., 60/2. The chilaria of Limulus … are regarded as metathoracic sternites.
Hence Sternitic a., pertaining to a sternite.
In recent Dicts.
