Palmiped
/ˈpæl.mɪ.pɛd/noun
Having feet with toes joined by webs, especially describing aquatic birds or animals.
Did you know?The word was formed from Latin palma, “palm of the hand,” and pes, “foot,” comparing a webbed foot’s broad shape to a human palm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ped-
“Foot; the ancient root behind many later words for walking and feet.”
Classical Latin
Latin
palma
“Palm of the hand; also a broad, spreading surface.”
Classical Latin
Latin
pes, pedis
“Foot.”
Classical Latin
Latin
palmipes, palmipedis
“Having webbed or palm-like feet; literally, palm-footed.”
19th Century
French
palmipède
“Web-footed; especially applied to swimming birds.”
19th Century
English
palmiped
“A web-footed animal or bird, or having webbed feet.”
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