decapod

American  

[dek-uh-pod] / ˈdɛk əˌpɒd /

noun

1. any crustacean of the order Decapoda, having five pairs of walking legs, including the crabs, lobsters, crayfish, prawns, and shrimps.

2. any dibranchiate cephalopod having ten arms, as the cuttlefish or squid.

3. (initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, ten driving wheels, and no rear truck.

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the decapods.

2. having ten feet or legs.

decapod British  

/ ˈdɛkəˌpɒd, dɪˈkæpədəl /

noun

1. any crustacean of the mostly marine order Decapoda, having five pairs of walking limbs: includes the crabs, lobsters, shrimps, prawns, and crayfish

2. any cephalopod mollusc of the order Decapoda, having a ring of eight short tentacles and two longer ones: includes the squids and cuttlefish

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to either of these orders

2. (of any other animal) having ten limbs

decapod Scientific  

/ dĕk′ə-pŏd′ /

1. Any of various crustaceans of the order Decapoda, characteristically having ten legs, each joined to a segment of the thorax. Crabs, hermit crabs, lobsters, and shrimp are decapods.

2. A cephalopod mollusk, such as a squid or cuttlefish, having ten armlike tentacles.

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Other Word Forms

• decapodal adjective
• decapodan adjective
• decapodous adjective

Etymology

Origin of decapod

First recorded in 1825–35, decapod is from the New Latin word Decapoda name of the order. See deca-, -pod

Example Sentences

In the search for a better welfare of animals that we humans kill for food, researchers at the University of Gothenburg have chosen to focus on decapod crustaceans.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024

But there is also a lot we don’t know, including about decapod crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2024

A crab-like body plan has evolved at least five separate times among decapod crustaceans, a group that includes crabs, lobsters and shrimp.

From Scientific American • Jun. 1, 2023

She is also trying to use genetic data to better understand the relationships among different decapod crustaceans, to more accurately pinpoint when various "crabby" lineages evolved, and pick apart the factors driving carcinization.

From Scientific American • Jun. 1, 2023

They dig somewhat after the manner of the fluviatile long-tailed decapod crustaceans, of the genera Thoracostraca, the common crawfish, you know.

From The Last of the Plainsmen by Grey, Zane