haltere noun. [hal'tɪǝ] Pl. halteres [hal'tɪǝri:z]. M16.
[Greek haltēres pl. (sense 1), from hallesthai to jump.]
1. In pl. Weights, like dumb-bells, held in the hand to give an impetus in jumping. M16.

2. Entomology. Either of the two knobbed filaments which in dipteran insects take the place of posterior wings. Also called balancer, poiser. Usu. in pl. E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲