Standard Lemma guide

clypeus

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈklɪ.pɪ.əs/
  • General-American: /klaɪˈpeɪ.əs/
  • General-American: /ˈklaɪ.peɪ.əs/
  • General-American: /ˈklaɪ.pi.əs/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The shield-shaped front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biology, entomology, natural-sciences, zoology, zootomy

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a shield-like plate on the front of an insect's head

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: protective covering

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin clypeus, clipeus (“round shield”).

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Kopfschild — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax
  • German: Clypeus — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax
  • Hungarian: pajzs — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax
  • Hungarian: fedőlap — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax
  • Hungarian: fejpajzs — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax
  • Polish: nadustek — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax
  • Portuguese: clípeo — front part of an insect's head or a spider's cephalothorax