palmiped

palmiped

A duck is a common palmiped with webbed feet.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A bird with webbed feet: "palmiped" refers to any bird belonging to the order Palmipedes, characterized by having toes connected by a membrane (webbed feet), typically adapted for swimming. These include ducks, geese, swans, and gulls.

  2. Adjective:

    • Having webbed feet: "palmiped" describes an animal, especially a bird, that possesses feet with a membrane joining the toes, facilitating locomotion in water.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The pond was home to several palmipeds, including ducks and swans. (Birds with webbed feet living in the pond.)
    • Ornithologists study palmipeds to understand their migratory patterns. (Scientists specializing in birds with webbed feet.)

  • Adjective:

    • The palmiped foot of the goose is ideal for paddling. (The webbed structure of the goose's foot.)
    • Palmiped birds are commonly found near lakes and rivers. (Birds with webbed feet are typical in aquatic habitats.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Palmiped" in ornithology: The term is often used in technical or scientific contexts to classify birds with webbed feet, distinct from other bird groups like (birds of prey) or (perching birds).
    • The classification of palmipeds includes both marine and freshwater species. (The category covers a range of waterbirds.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Palmipedal (adj): same as "palmiped," referring to having webbed feet.

    • The palmipedal adaptation is crucial for efficient swimming. (The webbed structure is key for aquatic movement.)

  • Palmate (adj): having a shape like a hand with fingers spread, often used for leaves but also for feet.

    • The palmate foot of the pelican is similar to that of other palmipeds. (The hand-like, webbed foot structure.)
Synonyms

  • Web-footed: having feet with a membrane between the toes.

    • Web-footed birds are excellent swimmers. (Equivalent to palmiped birds.)

  • Lamellirostral: (specific to ducks and geese) having a beak with fine ridges for filtering food, often associated with palmipeds.

    • Lamellirostral palmipeds are common in wetland ecosystems. (A subset of palmipeds with specialized beaks.)
Related Idioms
  • There are no common idioms directly using "palmiped," as it is a technical term. However, the concept of webbed feet appears in phrases like "like a duck to water" (to adapt naturally to something).
    • She took to swimming like a duck to water, a true palmiped at heart. (She adapted naturally, like a bird with webbed feet.)