club

Pronunciation
/kluhb/
Category
Anatomy
Singular
club
Plural
clubs

Definition

A term often used to describe the thickened, bulbous ends of the antennae in certain insects, particularly butterflies and some beetles.

Etymology

From Old Norse 'klubba', meaning a clumsy or heavy wooden implement, due to the resemblance in shape.

Example

The antennae of many butterfly species terminate in a club, which helps them in sensing their environment.

Synonyms

  • Clavate antennae

Related Terms

Usage Notes

The term 'club' is specific to the morphology of certain antennae and should not be confused with other uses of the word in different contexts.