myriapod

or myr·i·o·pod

[ mir-ee-uh-pod ]
/ ˈmɪr i əˌpɒd /

noun

any arthropod of the group Myriapoda, having an elongated segmented body with numerous paired, jointed legs, formerly classified as a class comprising the centipedes and millipedes.

adjective

Also myr·i·ap·o·dous [mir-ee-ap-uh-duh s] /ˌmɪr iˈæp ə dəs/. belonging or pertaining to the myriapods.
having very numerous legs.

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Origin of myriapod

From the New Latin word Myriapoda, dating back to 1820–30. See myria-, -pod

Words nearby myriapod

myra, myrdal, myria-, myriad, myriad-leaf, myriapod, myrica, myringa, myringectomy, myringitis, myringo-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for myriapod

British Dictionary definitions for myriapod

myriapod
/ (ˈmɪrɪəˌpɒd) /

noun

any terrestrial arthropod of the group Myriapoda, having a long segmented body and many walking limbs: includes the centipedes and millipedes

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the Myriapoda

Derived forms of myriapod

myriapodan (ˌmɪrɪˈæpədən), adjectivemyriapodous, adjective

Word Origin for myriapod

C19: from New Latin Myriapoda. See myriad, -pod
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

Scientific definitions for myriapod

myriapod
[ mĭr′ē-ə-pŏd′ ]

Any of various arthropods belonging to several closely related groups, having long segmented bodies, one pair of antennae, and at least nine pairs of legs. Centipedes and millipedes are myriapods.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.