platypus

(platə pəs)

noun pl. platypuses or platypi

a small, aquatic, egg-laying monotreme mammal (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) of Australia and Tasmania, with webbed feet, a beaverlike tail, and a ducklike bill; duckbill

Origin: ModL < Gr platypous, flatfooted < platys, flat (see platy-) + pous, foot

See platypus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. plat·y·pus·es
A semiaquatic egg-laying mammal (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) of Australia and Tasmania, having a broad flat tail, webbed feet, and a snout resembling a duck's bill. Also called duckbill, duck-billed platypus.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin Platypūs, former genus name

Origin: , from Greek platupous, flat-footed

Origin: : platu-, platy-

Origin: + pous, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots

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