platypus

[ plat-i-puhs, -poos ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural plat·y·pus·es, plat·y·pi [plat, -i-pahy].

a small, aquatic, egg-laying monotreme, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, of Australia and Tasmania, having webbed feet, a tail like that of a beaver, a sensitive bill resembling that of a duck, and, in adult males, venom-injecting spurs on the ankles of the hind limbs, used primarily for fighting with other males during the breeding season.

platypus

/ ˈplætɪpəs /

1790–1800; < New Latin < Greek platýpous flat-footed, equivalent to platy- platy- + -pous, adj. derivative of poús foot

C18: New Latin, from platy- + -pus, from Greek pous foot

It has webbed feet, and therefore sometimes receives the name of Platypus (flat-foot).

So, although it was a long and rough way to the little creek where the Platypus lived, it did not seem at all far.

She kept on fidgetting about, putting off calling to the Platypus by one excuse and another: she was decidedly ill at ease.

Dot could not hear what the Kangaroo said, but she saw the Platypus hurriedly prepare to regain the water.

The Platypus spluttered out more dirty water, in its indignation.

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