limpet
[lim-pit]
noun
any of various marine gastropods with a low conical shell open beneath, often browsing on rocks at the shoreline and adhering when disturbed.
Origin of limpet
before 1050; Middle English lempet, Old English lempedu, nasalized variant of *lepedu < Latin lepada, accusative of lepas < Greek lepás limpet
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for limpet
Historical Examples of limpet
"Our good old Church is like a limpet on the shore," he said.
The Woman Thou Gavest MeHall Caine
John swore and struggled, but the old man stuck like a limpet.
Robert ElsmereMrs. Humphry Ward
Nevertheless, he clung to his seat like a limpet, and pulled at his oar with all his might.
The Thorogood FamilyR.M. Ballantyne
Mr. Limpet looked at Mr. Grigg to see if any emotion was advisable.
Rogues and VagabondsGeorge R. Sims
What was Grigg and Limpet's clerk doing there at that time of night?
Rogues and VagabondsGeorge R. Sims
limpet
noun
Word Origin for limpet
Old English lempedu, from Latin lepas, from Greek
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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