TADPOLE

tadpole, polliwog, pollywog

(noun) a larval frog or toad

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

tadpole (plural tadpoles)

A young toad or frog in its larval stage of development that lives in water, has a tail and no legs, and, like a fish, breathes through gills.

(by extension) The aquatic larva of any amphibian.

A type of cargo bike that has two wheels in front and one in back.

(psychology) A child's basic drawing of a human being, having a detailed head but only sticks for the body and limbs.

Synonyms

• (toad or frog larva): polliwog, porriwiggle

Anagrams

• pot lead

Source: Wiktionary


Tad"pole`, n. Etym: [OE. tadde toad (AS. tadie, tadige) + poll; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See Toad, and Poll.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The hooded merganser. [Local, U.S.] Tadpole fish. (Zoöl.) See Forkbeard (a).

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

5 June 2025

UNDERLAY

(verb) raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type; “underlay the plate”


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