platypus
UK /ˈplætɪpəs/ · US /ˈplætɪˌpʊs/ noun
Forms platypuses platypi platypodes
- noun A semiaquatic monotreme from eastern Australia 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 (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).
Synonyms
duck-billed platypus duckbill duckmole mallangong tambreet water mole duckbilled platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Etymology
From New Latin Platypus (originally a genus name already in use for a type of beetle), from Ancient Greek πλατύπους (platúpous, “flat-footed”), from πλατύς (platús, “flat”) + πούς (poús, “foot”). Piecewise doublet of flatfoot.
Webster’s 1913
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “platypus”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details