Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having feet with webbed toes: Describes an animal whose toes are connected by a thin membrane of skin, which aids in swimming.

Usage

• The term "web-footed" is used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like 'is') to describe animals adapted for aquatic life.
• It is a compound adjective formed from "web" + "footed."

Examples

• Attributive use:
  • The duck is a web-footed bird.
  • We observed web-footed amphibians near the pond.
• Predicative use:
  • Otters are web-footed.
  • The species became more web-footed over generations to suit its environment.

Advanced Usage

• "web-footed" in biology/zoology: Used in scientific descriptions to classify species based on physical adaptations.
  • The study focused on the swimming efficiency of web-footed mammals.

Variants and Related Words

• Webfoot (noun, less common): An animal having webbed feet.
  • The platypus is a webfoot.
• Web-foot (noun, rare): A foot having webbed toes.
• Webbed (adjective): Having the toes connected by a web. (Note: "Webbed" is often used interchangeably with "web-footed," but "webbed" can specifically describe the toes or feet themselves, e.g., "webbed feet").
  • The frog has webbed hind feet.

Synonyms

• Palmate (adjective, technical): Specifically describes a foot with webbed toes.
• Web-toed (adjective): Having toes connected by a web. (Very similar in meaning).

Antonyms

• Separate-toed: Having toes that are not connected.
• Clawed: Having claws, typically implying toes are not webbed for swimming.

Adjective

1. having feet with webbed toes