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pteropod

 - 3 dictionary results

pter⋅o⋅pod

  [ter-uh-pod]
Use pteropod in a Sentence
–adjective
1. belonging or pertaining to the Pteropoda, a group of mollusks having the lateral portions of the foot expanded into winglike lobes used in swimming.
–noun
2. a pteropod mollusk.
Origin:
1825–35; < NL Pteropoda (pl.); see ptero-, -pod
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pter·o·pod   (těr'ə-pŏd')   
n.  Any of various small marine gastropod mollusks of the subclass Opisthobranchia that have winglike lobes on the feet. Also called sea butterfly.

[From New Latin Pteropoda, order name : Greek pteron, feather, wing; see -pter + New Latin -poda, -pod.]
pter'o·pod' adj., pte·rop'o·dan (tə-rŏp'ə-dən) adj. & n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

pteropod

small marine gastropods of the subclass Opisthobranchia having a pair of winglike flaps (parapodia) that are used for swimming. These gastropods were once grouped as the order Pteropoda. They live at or near the sea surface; most are less than 1 cm (0.4 inch) long.

Learn more about pteropod with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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