arthropod

[ ahr-thruh-pod ]
/ ˈɑr θrəˌpɒd /

noun

any invertebrate of the phylum Arthropoda, having a segmented body, jointed limbs, and usually a chitinous shell that undergoes moltings, including the insects, spiders and other arachnids, crustaceans, and myriapods.

adjective

Also ar·throp·o·dal [ahr-throp-uh-dl] /ɑrˈθrɒp ə dl/, ar·throp·o·dan [ahr-throp-uh-dn] /ɑrˈθrɒp ə dn/, ar·throp·o·dous [ahr-throp-uh-duh s] /ɑrˈθrɒp ə dəs/. belonging or pertaining to the Arthropoda.

Origin of arthropod

1875–80; < New Latin Arthropoda; see arthro-, -pod

Words nearby arthropod

arthrometer, arthrometry, arthropathy, arthrophyma, arthroplasty, arthropod, arthropoda, arthropodiasis, arthropods, arthropyosis, arthrosclerosis

Words related to arthropods

tick, vermin, pest, mite, bee, butterfly, gnat, dragonfly, moth, grasshopper, spider, cockroach, termite, ant, mosquito, beetle, flea, aphid, ladybug, fly

Example sentences from the Web for arthropods

British Dictionary definitions for arthropods

arthropod
/ (ˈɑːθrəˌpɒd) /

noun

any invertebrate of the phylum Arthropoda, having jointed limbs, a segmented body, and an exoskeleton made of chitin. The group includes the crustaceans, insects, arachnids, and centipedes

Derived forms of arthropod

arthropodous (ɑːˈθrɒpədəs) or arthropodal, adjective

Word Origin for arthropod

C19 from NL, from Gk arthron joint + podus footed, from pous foot

Medical definitions for arthropods

arthropod
[ är′thrə-pŏd′ ]

n.

Any of numerous invertebrate animals of the phylum Arthropoda, including insects, crustaceans, arachnids, and myriapods.

Scientific definitions for arthropods

arthropod
[ är′thrə-pŏd′ ]

Any of numerous invertebrate animals of the phylum Arthopoda, characterized by an exoskeleton made of chitin and a segmented body with pairs of jointed appendages. Arthropods share many features with annelids and may have evolved from them in the Precambrian Era. Arthropods include the insects, crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods, and extinct trilobites, and are the largest phylum in the animal kingdom.

Cultural definitions for arthropods

arthropods
[ (ahr-thruh-podz) ]

A phylum, or major division of the animal kingdom. Arthropods are animals with jointed legs and segmented bodies, such as insects, spiders, centipedes, and crustaceans. There are more species of arthropods than of any other animal phylum.