copepod

[koh-puh-pod]

noun

any of numerous tiny marine or freshwater crustaceans of the order (or subclass) Copepoda, lacking compound eyes or a carapace and usually having six pairs of limbs on the thorax, some abundant in plankton and others parasitic on fish.

Origin of copepod

1830–40; < New Latin Copepoda name of the order < Greek kṓpē a handle, oar + -poda -poda

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for copepod

Historical Examples of copepod

It still must pass through its life cycle, but its intermediate host need not be one species of snail, fish, or copepod.
The Lani People
J. F. Bone
From the protopodites of both the latter spring strong hooks like those of the Copepod and Phyllopod Nauplii.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for copepod

copepod

noun

any minute free-living or parasitic crustacean of the subclass Copepoda of marine and fresh waters: an important constituent of plankton

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Copepoda

Word Origin for copepod

C19: from New Latin Copepoda, from Greek kōpē oar + pous foot

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

copepod in Medicine

copepod

[kō′pə-pŏd′]

n.

Any of numerous minute marine and freshwater crustaceans of the subclass Copepoda, having an elongated body and a forked tail.

copepod in Science

copepod

[kō′pə-pŏd′]

Any of various very small crustaceans of the subclass Copepoda, having an elongated body and a forked tail. Unlike most crustaceans, copepods lack a carapace over the back and do not have compound eyes. They are abundant in both salt and fresh water, and are an important food source for many water animals. Copepods include the water fleas.