arthropod

/'ɑ:θrəpɔd/

Thân thiện

A child carefully observes an arthropod crawling on a leaf.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An invertebrate animal having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin: An arthropod is a member of a large phylum of invertebrate animals characterized by a hard external skeleton, a segmented body, and paired, jointed appendages.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Insects, spiders, and crabs are all examples of arthropods.
  • The fossil record shows that arthropods have existed for hundreds of millions of years.
  • The exoskeleton of an arthropod provides protection and support.

Advanced Usage

• "Arthropod-borne": (as a compound adjective) transmitted by arthropods.
  • Malaria is an arthropod-borne disease spread by mosquitoes.
• In scientific classification: Used to refer to the phylum Arthropoda.
  • The phylum Arthropoda is the largest in the animal kingdom.

Variants and Related Words

• Arthropodal (adj): Relating to or characteristic of arthropods.
• Arthropodan (adj): Alternative adjective form meaning pertaining to arthropods.
• Arthropoda (n, proper): The scientific name for the phylum to which all arthropods belong.

Synonyms

• Invertebrate: A broader category of animals without backbones, which includes arthropods.
• Joint-legged animal: A descriptive, non-scientific synonym.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Exoskeleton: The rigid external covering that is a defining feature of arthropods.
• Chitin: The tough, protective polysaccharide that forms the arthropod exoskeleton.
• Molting (Ecdysis): The process of shedding the old exoskeleton to allow for growth, common to all arthropods.

Học thuật

Noun

1. invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin