water boatman

American  

noun

1. any of numerous aquatic insects of the family Corixidae, having paddlelike hind legs.

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water boatman British  

noun

1. any of various aquatic bugs of the families Notonectidae and Corixidae, having a flattened body and oarlike hind legs, adapted for swimming

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Etymology

Origin of water boatman

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

water boatman

The piece features hundreds of sounds, but his favorite is the noise of the insect known as the water boatman in the moor’s pond, said to be the loudest animal relative to its body size.

From New York Times ● Aug. 5, 2016

Wetsuit is so buoyant – feel like a giant water boatman insect, skittering sideways.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 26, 2011

Our water boatman was not slow to make use of his wings.

From The Insect Folk by Morley, Margaret Warner

Unlike the water boatman, however, its back is not flat but is shaped like the keel of a boat.

From The Insect Folk by Morley, Margaret Warner

You know a water boatman that swims on its back?

From The Insect Folk by Morley, Margaret Warner