n.; pl. Tarsi [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; the flat of the foot, the edge of the eyelid. Cf. 2d Tarse. ] 1. (Anat.) (a) The ankle; the bones or cartilages of the part of the foot between the metatarsus and the leg, consisting in man of seven short bones. (b) A plate of dense connective tissue or cartilage in the eyelid of man and many animals; -- called also tarsal cartilage, and tarsal plate. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Zool.) The foot of an insect or a crustacean. It usually consists of form two to five joints. [ 1913 Webster ] |