peripatus

noun

pe·​rip·​a·​tus pə-ˈri-pə-təs How to pronounce peripatus (audio)
: any of a class or phylum (Onychophora) of primitive tropical wormlike invertebrates that appear intermediate between annelid worms and arthropods

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Greek peripatos act of walking about, from peri- + patein to tread

First Known Use

circa 1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peripatus was circa 1931

Dictionary Entries Near peripatus

Cite this Entry

“Peripatus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peripatus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!