amplexus

noun

am·​plex·​us am-ˈplek-səs 

: the mating embrace of some amphibians (such as frogs and toads) in which the male typically takes a position on the back of the female and tightly grasps onto the female with his front legs

Frogs mate in a position called amplexus, with the smaller male clasping the female from behind in a ride that can last two days or more. As she lays eggs, he expels sperm to fertilize them.

—Mel White

Examples of amplexus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most species practice amplexus in some form, and there are many unique ways of carrying it out. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "embrace," from amplectere "to embrace" (from am-, assimilated variant of amb- "around, about" + plectere "to plait, twine") + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at ambient entry 1, ply entry 3

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amplexus

• cathexis
• lexis
• nexus
• plexus