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Tadpole: meaning, definitions and examples

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tadpole

 

[ ˈtædˌpoʊl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

life stage

A tadpole is the larval stage of an amphibian, particularly frogs and toads, characterized by a long, thin body, a tail, and the absence of limbs. During this stage, they typically live in water and undergo significant metamorphosis. As they develop, tadpoles gradually lose their tails and grow legs, transitioning into adult frogs or toads. This transformation is crucial for their survival as they adapt from an aquatic environment to a terrestrial one.

Synonyms

fry, larva.

Examples of usage

  • The pond was filled with tadpoles in early spring.
  • We observed the tadpole turning into a frog.
  • The biology class studied tadpoles in their natural habitat.

Translations

Translations of the word "tadpole" in other languages:

🇵🇹 girino

🇮🇳 टडपोल (टडपोल)

🇩🇪 Kaulquappe

🇮🇩 bertelur

🇺🇦 пуголовок

🇵🇱 kijanka

🇯🇵 オタマジャクシ (otamajakushi)

🇫🇷 têtard

🇪🇸 renacuajo

🇹🇷 kurbağa yavrusu

🇰🇷 올챙이 (olchaengi)

🇸🇦 ضفدع صغير (ḍifdaʿ ṣaghīr)

🇨🇿 pulci

🇸🇰 pulček

🇨🇳 蝌蚪 (kēdǒu)

🇸🇮 žabji mladič

🇮🇸 froskur

🇰🇿 бақа бала (baqa bala)

🇬🇪 ფეხბურთი (peqburti)

🇦🇿 qurbağa balası

🇲🇽 renacuajo

Etymology

The word 'tadpole' has origins in Middle English, where it was spelled as 'tadpol', which itself is a compound of two elements: 'tad' and 'pole'. 'Tad' is believed to be a dialectal term for a frog, and 'pole' relates to the term 'head', indicating the form of the tadpole which was seen as a tiny frog with a tail. The term 'tadpole' has been used since the 15th century to describe this particular life stage of amphibians. The unique morphology of tadpoles, with their distinct tail and eventually evolving limbs, has fascinated scientists and nature enthusiasts alike, providing insights into the life cycles of amphibians.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,269, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.