arthropod

[ahr-thruh-pod] /ˈɑr θrəˌpɒd/

noun

any invertebrate of the phylum Arthropoda, having a segmented body, jointed limbs, and usually a chitinous shell that undergoes moltings, including the insects, spiders and other arachnids, crustaceans, and myriapods.

adjective

Also, arthropodal

[ahr-throp-uh-dl] /ɑrˈθrɒp ə dl/ (Show IPA), arthropodan

[ahr-throp-uh-dn] /ɑrˈθrɒp ə dn/ (Show IPA), arthropodous

[ahr-throp-uh-duh s] /ɑrˈθrɒp ə dəs/ (Show IPA). belonging or pertaining to the Arthropoda.

Origin

1875-80; < Neo-Latin Arthropoda; see arthro-, -pod

Examples from the web for arthropods

It can expand the range of insects and arthropods that can transmit disease.
Fortunately, the laws of nature impose tight limits on the maximum size that arthropods can attain.
These hardy, adaptable arthropods have been around for hundreds of millions of years, and they are nothing if not survivors.
Oddly, toxicity of these substances is only quoted for arthropods, two of them: silverfish and shrimp.
The role played by these predatory arthropods in biological control of cereal aphids in winter wheat has yet to be determined.
Vertebrate chemical defense: secreted and topically acquired deterrents of arthropods.
arthropods, using hemolymph, have hemocytes as part of their immune system.
Primitive arthropods coevolved with this diversified terrestrial vegetation structure.

British Dictionary definitions for arthropods

arthropod

/ˈɑːθrəˌpɒd/

noun

any invertebrate of the phylum Arthropoda, having jointed limbs, a segmented body, and an exoskeleton made of chitin. The group includes the crustaceans, insects, arachnids, and centipedes

Derived Forms

arthropodous (ɑːˈθrɒpədəs), arthropodal, adjective

Word Origin

C19 from NL, from Gk arthron joint + podus footed, from pous foot

Word Origin and History for arthropods

arthropod

1877, from Modern Latin Arthropoda, literally "those with jointed feet," biological classification of the phylum of segmented, legged invertebrates; see Arthropoda.

arthropods in Medicine

arthropod ar·thro·pod (är'thrə-pŏd')
n.
Any of numerous invertebrate animals of the phylum Arthropoda, including insects, crustaceans, arachnids, and myriapods.

arthropods in Science

arthropod

(är'thrə-pŏd')
Any of numerous invertebrate animals of the phylum Arthopoda, characterized by an exoskeleton made of chitin and a segmented body with pairs of jointed appendages. Arthropods share many features with annelids and may have evolved from them in the Precambrian Era. Arthropods include the insects, crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods, and extinct trilobites, and are the largest phylum in the animal kingdom.

arthropods in Culture

arthropods [(ahr-thruh-podz)]

A phylum, or major division of the animal kingdom. Arthropods are animals with jointed legs and segmented bodies, such as insects, spiders, centipedes, and crustaceans. There are more species of arthropods than of any other animal phylum.