limpet

[ lim-pit ]
/ ˈlɪm pɪt /

noun

any of various marine gastropods with a low conical shell open beneath, often browsing on rocks at the shoreline and adhering when disturbed.

Origin of limpet

before 1050; Middle English lempet, Old English lempedu, nasalized variant of *lepedu < Latin lepada, accusative of lepas < Greek lepás limpet

Example sentences from the Web for limpet

British Dictionary definitions for limpet

limpet
/ (ˈlɪmpɪt) /

noun

any of numerous marine gastropods, such as Patella vulgata (common limpet) and Fissurella (or Diodora) apertura (keyhole limpet), that have a conical shell and are found clinging to rocks
any of various similar freshwater gastropods, such as Ancylus fluviatilis (river limpet)
(modifier) relating to or denoting certain weapons that are attached to their targets by magnetic or adhesive properties and resist removal limpet mines
a small open caisson shaped to fit against a dock wall, used mainly in repair work

Word Origin for limpet

Old English lempedu, from Latin lepas, from Greek