platypus
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Mediaeval Latin Platypus (originally a genus name, but already used for a type of beetle), from Ancient Greek πλατύπους (platypous), “‘flat-footed’”), from πλατύς (platys), “‘flat’”) + πούς (pous), “‘foot’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
platypus (plural: platypuses, or platypus; common, pseudo-latin: platypi; rare, pedantic: platypodes)
- An egg-laying, semi-aquatic mammal with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet — males have poisonous spurs on the inside of the back legs; Ornithorhynchus anatinus
- 2008 March 2, “Captive platypus twins make history”, ABC News:
- Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary is celebrating the births of two baby platypuses, in a major milestone.
- 2008 March 2, “Captive platypus twins make history”, ABC News:
[edit] Quotations
- For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
Ornithorhynchus anatinus
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