harpago

noun

har·​pa·​go

ˈhärpəˌgō

plural harpagones

ˌhärpəˈgōˌnēz

: an element of the male copulatory apparatus of many insects that forms part of a clasper

especially : a modified stylus of the ninth segment forming one lateral half of a clasper

—usually used in plural

Word History

Etymology

New Latin harpagon-, harpago, from Latin, grappling iron, irregular from Greek harpagē hook, rake

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