/tahr"seuhs/ , n. , pl. tarsi /-suy, -see/ .
1. Anat. , Zool. the bones of the proximal segment of the foot; the bones between the tibia and the metatarsus, contributing to the construction of the ankle joint. See diag. under skeleton .
2. the small plate of connective tissue along the border of an eyelid.
3. tarsometatarsus.
4. the distal part of the leg of an insect, usually subdivided in the adult into two to five segments. See diag. under coxa .
[ 1670-80; tarsós flat of the foot ]