copepod

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Word: Copepod

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A copepod is a very small type of animal that lives in water. They can be found in both the ocean (marine) and in freshwater (like lakes and rivers). Copepods usually have six pairs of legs on their middle section (thorax). Some copepods are very common in the tiny floating plants and animals called plankton, while others can live as parasites on fish.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "copepod" when talking about tiny aquatic animals, especially in discussions about ecosystems or marine biology.
• It is usually used in scientific contexts, so it might not come up in everyday conversation.

Example Sentence:

"Copepods play a crucial role in the food chain, serving as a primary food source for many fish species."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might find "copepod" used in research studies or environmental reports, where scientists analyze the population of copepods in certain water bodies to understand the health of an ecosystem.

Word Variants:

• Copepodite: This is a stage in the life cycle of a copepod, referring to the juvenile form before it becomes an adult.
• Copepoda: This is the scientific class that includes all copepods.

Different Meanings:

• While "copepod" specifically refers to the small aquatic crustaceans, there are no other common meanings in everyday language.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "copepod," but you might refer to them broadly as "small crustaceans" or "plankton" in certain contexts.

Related Terms:

• Plankton: Tiny organisms that float in water, which include copepods.
• Crustacean: A broader category of animals that includes copepods, crabs, shrimp, etc.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "copepod," as it is a specific scientific term.

Summary:

A copepod is a small aquatic animal with six pairs of legs, found in many water environments. It is important in the food chain and is studied in marine biology.

Academic

Noun

1. minute marine or freshwater crustaceans usually having six pairs of limbs on the thorax; some abundant in plankton and others parasitic on fish

Synonyms

• copepod crustacean