Crepidula
/krɪˈpɪdjʊlə/noun
A genus of marine gastropod mollusks commonly known as slipper limpets.
Did you know?The genus name refers to the shell’s internal shelf and slipper-like shape, while its deeper root comes from Greek words for a shoe or sandal.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kerp-
“A reconstructed root associated with cutting or shaping; it contributed to ancient terms connected with footwear and crafted objects.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
krepis
“A shoe, sandal, or foundation-like base.”
Classical Latin
Latin
crepida
“A sandal or light shoe, borrowed from Greek.”
Late Latin
Latin
crepidula
“A little shoe or small sandal; the diminutive form of crepida.”
1799
Scientific Latin
Crepidula
“A genus name applied to slipper limpets, whose shells resemble small shoes.”
Modern English
English
crepidula
“A slipper-limpet genus, especially the North American species Crepidula fornicata.”