Meanings
- uncountablebiologyAn enlargement of the abdomen in certain insects, especially in termite queens.
The most striking characteristic of many termitophiles is physogastry, or the excessive enlargement of the abdomen, which closely resembles that of the hosts and especially that of the old queens.
2015, William Morton Wheeler, The Social Insects: Their Origin and Evolution, page 2662 more examples
One of the most bizarre modifications of the beetle abdomen is known as physogastry. Physogastry is a condition in which the abdomen is enlarged. usually through increased growth of the connective membranes, expansion of the internal fat bodies, and subsequent secondary sclerotization of the abdominal sclerites.
2000, Arthur V. Evans, An Inordinate Fondness for Beetles, page 64The development of queen physogastry is considered to mark the end of the founding stage. It is often difficult to determine the time required for a queen to become physogastric in termite colonies.
2014, Y. Abe, Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology, page 337Synonyms: physogastrism
Synonyms & antonyms
nounAn enlargement of the abdomen in certain insects, especially in termite queens.
Origin
- Ancient Greekγαστήρ“belly”
- Englishphysogastry
From physo- + Ancient Greek γαστήρ (gastḗr, “belly”) + -y.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
German Physogastrie
- PhysogastrieTranslations
Cite this entry
physogastry. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/physogastry
“physogastry.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/physogastry. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “physogastry,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/physogastry.
Source: physogastry on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.