• (n.) The dorsal portion of an arthromere or somite of an articulate animal. See Illust. under Coleoptera.
The primary plate or sclerite forming the dorsal surface of any body segment.
Main dorsal sclerite of a somite of an arthropod.
Ter'gite noun (Zoology) The dorsal portion of an arthromere or somite of an articulate animal. See Illust. under Coleoptera . 
dorsal plates associated with the mesosoma.
the primary plate or sclerite forming the dorsal surface of any body segment