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Millipede: meaning, definitions and examples

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millipede

 

[ ˈmɪlɪpiːd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal type

A millipede is a long-bodied arthropod belonging to the class Diplopoda. Unlike centipedes, millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, giving them a cylindrical shape. They are primarily detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, and are commonly found in soil or leaf litter.

Synonyms

diplopod, myriapod.

Examples of usage

  • The millipede curled up to protect itself.
  • We observed a colorful millipede on our nature walk.
  • Millipedes help recycle nutrients in the forest.
  • In the garden, a millipede can be beneficial.

Translations

Translations of the word "millipede" in other languages:

🇵🇹 milípede

🇮🇳 सौ-दशनक

🇩🇪 Tausendfüßler

🇮🇩 lipan

🇺🇦 мілепід

🇵🇱 milipeda

🇯🇵 ムカデ

🇫🇷 mille-pattes

🇪🇸 milpiés

🇹🇷 binbacaklı

🇰🇷 천발

🇸🇦 ألف قدم

🇨🇿 stonožka

🇸🇰 stonožka

🇨🇳 千足虫

🇸🇮 tisočnog

🇮🇸 þúsundfætla

🇰🇿 мыңаяқ

🇬🇪 ათასი ფეხი

🇦🇿 minayaq

🇲🇽 milpiés

Etymology

The word 'millipede' derives from the Latin roots 'mille,' meaning 'thousand,' and 'pes,' meaning 'foot.' The name reflects the creature's many legs, though it is a misconception that they have a thousand; the actual number of legs varies with species, usually ranging from 30 to 400 legs. The term was coined in the 18th century as scientists began to classify various species of arthropods based on their characteristics. Millipedes are ancient creatures, with ancestors dating back over 400 million years, evolving through various environmental changes. Their unique body structure has made them a subject of interest in both ecology and evolution. The study of millipedes helps scientists understand soil health and the ecosystem's decomposition process, highlighting their ecological importance.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,478, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.