declivity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An inward curve of the exoskeleton of an insect, such as between body segments; a segment of an insect's body where the exoskeleton curves inward.

   1979, Entomology Circular, Issue 200, Part 366, Division of Plant Industry, page number not shown, Males of all species have more developed armature of the elytral declivity than females (Figs. S, 6, 8, 9, 11-14).

1610s, from French déclivité, from Latin declivitatem, dēclīvitās, from dēclivis (“a sloping downward”), from de (“down”) + clīvus (“a slope”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱleywo-, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (“to lean”) (English lean).

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