from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tarsus \Tar"sus\, n.; pl. {Tarsi}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? 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]