arthropod

Definition

An invertebrate animal of the phylum Arthropoda, characterized by a chitinous exoskeleton and multiple jointed appendages.

Etymology

From New Latin Arthropoda, from Ancient Greek ἄρθρον (árthron, “joint”) + πούς (poús, “foot”), equivalent to arthro- + -pod.

Example Sentences

• "In at least one other arthropod, the Stalk-eyed fly, it is the sheer length of the stalks themselves, which can be longer than the animal's body, which make the male attractive to females."
• "The arthropods of the forest biome can be divided into two ecological groups: the cryptozoic inhabitants of the soil and leaf litter, and the terrestrial and arboreal forms that live in more exposed localities."