tadpole

[tad-pohl]

noun

1. the aquatic larva or immature form of frogs and toads, especially after the development of the internal gills and before the appearance of the forelimbs and the resorption of the tail.

tadpole

/ ˈtædˌpəʊl /

noun

1. the aquatic larva of frogs, toads, etc, which develops from a limbless tailed form with external gills into a form with internal gills, limbs, and a reduced tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of tadpole¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English tad(de)pol, equivalent to tad(de) “toad” + pol “head”; toad, poll ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tadpole¹

C15 taddepol, from tadde _toad + pol head, _poll

Example Sentences

I wanted to show her what I learned: that we are never alone among the tadpoles, silt and stones, that we belong to nature too.

From Los Angeles Times

Southern Darwin's frog tadpoles grow up inside the vocal sacs of their fathers and are 'born' through their mouths as froglets.

From BBC

In another tank, tadpoles are swirling around using simple swimming motions.

From Science Daily

Within four to twelve weeks after hatching, these little tadpoles begin their transformation into toads, with only about 1% making it to adulthood.

From BBC

At another point, McNeish stopped at a dry depression and poked her yardstick into tangled aquatic plants, finding dead tadpoles.

From Los Angeles Times

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