amplexus

[ am-plek-suh s ]
/ æmˈplɛk səs /

noun, plural am·plex·us·es, am·plex·us.

the clasping posture of fertilization in frogs and toads.

Origin of amplexus

1925–30; < New Latin, Latin: embrace, equivalent to amplect(ī) to embrace ( am-, variant of ambi- ambi- + plectī, deponent of plectere to plait, twine; cf. complex, plexus) + -tus suffix of v. action

Example sentences from the Web for amplexus