decapod

noun

deca·​pod ˈde-kə-ˌpäd How to pronounce decapod (audio)
1
: any of an order (Decapoda) of crustaceans (such as shrimp, lobsters, and crabs) with five pairs of thoracic appendages one or more of which are modified into pincers, with stalked eyes, and with the head and thorax fused into a cephalothorax and covered by a carapace
2
: any of the cephalopod mollusks (orders Sepioidea and Teuthoidea) with 10 arms including cuttlefishes, squids, and related forms
decapod adjective
decapodan adjective or noun
decapodous adjective

Illustration of decapod

Illustration of decapod
  • decapod 1

Examples of decapod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And depictions of the decapods — bright red with claws, antennae and black-dot eyes — are everywhere: crawfish curtains, crawfish tablecloths, crawfish paper towel holders, crawfish caps, crawfish T-shirts, crawfish earrings. Rick Rojas Emily Kask, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 But the survivors of this catastrophe—including decapods—thrived in the aftermath. National Geographic, 24 Apr. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decapod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Decapoda, from deca- + -poda -pod

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decapod was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near decapod

Cite this Entry

“Decapod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decapod. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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