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Glite Dictionary
proleg

proleg

1 9.9
A short soft leg on the body of some young insects that helps them hold onto leaves or branches
  • noun
  • /ˈproʊlɛɡ/
  • Specialized
: prolejo
  • Without its prolegs, the insect larva would struggle to hold onto leaves.

Examples

  • The caterpillar uses its prolegs to grip onto leaves.

  • The caterpillar clung to the branch with its strong prolegs.

  • Scientists observed how the proleg helps larvae move across rough surfaces.

  • A proleg helps the larvae in climbing.

  • The caterpillar used its prolegs to grip the branch tightly as it inched along.

  • With tiny prolegs on its abdomen, the larva clung to the leaf while it rested.

  • As the insect crawled, its prolegs helped it balance and navigate the rough surface.

Surface Forms

proleg singular
prolegs plural

Morphology

proleg = leg (semi-transparent) = pro + leg

Formed from the recognizable parts 'pro-' + 'leg' so learners can tell it's a kind of leg-like appendage, but the technical sense (not a true thoracic leg and the precise meaning of 'pro-') is specialized.

Etymology

Proleg comes from the parts pro- ('before') and leg, so it literally means an extra or 'front' leg. These small, stubby legs on insect larvae help them grip surfaces, which is why we call them prolegs.