pteropod

[ ter-uh-pod ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the Pteropoda, a group of mollusks having the lateral portions of the foot expanded into winglike lobes used in swimming.

noun

1. a pteropod mollusk.

pteropod

/ ˈtɛrəˌpɒd /

noun

1. any small marine gastropod mollusc of the group or order Pteropoda, in which the foot is expanded into two winglike lobes for swimming and the shell is absent or thin-walled Also calledsea butterfly

Word History and Origins

Origin of pteropod¹

1825–35; < New Latin Pteropoda (plural); ptero-, -pod

Example Sentences

In almost all Gasteropod and Pteropod larv there is present a well-developed spindle muscle attaching the embryo to the shell.

From Project Gutenberg

An attempt I made at fishing with the net failed entirely—a pteropod (Clio borealis) and a few crustacea were the whole result.

From Project Gutenberg