pinniped

[ pin-uh-ped ]
/ ˈpɪn əˌpɛd /

adjective

belonging to the Pinnipedia, a suborder of carnivores with limbs adapted to an aquatic life, including the seals and walruses.

noun

a pinniped animal.

Origin of pinniped

From the New Latin word Pinnipedia, dating back to 1835–45. See pinna, -i-, -ped, -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM pinniped

pin·ni·pe·di·an [pin-uh-pee-dee-uh n] /ˌpɪn əˈpi di ən/, adjective, noun

British Dictionary definitions for pinniped

pinniped

pinnipedian (ˌpɪnɪˈpiːdɪən)

/ (ˈpɪnɪˌpɛd) /

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Pinnipedia, an order of aquatic placental mammals having a streamlined body and limbs specialized as flippers: includes seals, sea lions, and the walrus

noun

any pinniped animal
Compare fissiped

Word Origin for pinniped

C19: from New Latin pinnipēs, from Latin pinna feather, fin + pēs foot

Scientific definitions for pinniped

pinniped
[ pĭnə-pĕd′ ]

Any of various carnivorous, aquatic mammals of the group Pinnipedia, which some believe is a suborder of the Carnivora but others consider a separate mammalian order. Pinnipeds have long, smooth bodies and finlike flippers for swimming. Seals and walruses are pinnipeds.