Webfeet: meaning, definitions and examples
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webfeet
[ ˈwɛbfiːt ]
animal anatomy
Webfeet refers to the feet of certain birds, particularly ducks and swans, which have toes connected by a membrane. This adaptation allows them to swim efficiently in water. The term can also refer to amphibians like frogs that exhibit similar foot structures.
Synonyms
paddle-like feet, webbed feet
Examples of usage
- Ducks use their webfeet to paddle through water.
- The webfeet of the swan help it glide smoothly over the lake.
- Some frogs have webfeet that assist them in swimming.
Translations
Translations of the word "webfeet" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pés palmados
🇮🇳 जलीय पैर
🇩🇪 Schwimmfüße
🇮🇩 kaki berselap
🇺🇦 плавникові ноги
🇵🇱 wodniste stopy
🇯🇵 水かきの足
🇫🇷 pattes palmées
🇪🇸 pies palmeados
🇹🇷 paletli ayaklar
🇰🇷 수영 발
🇸🇦 أقدام مائية
🇨🇿 plovací nohy
🇸🇰 plávajúce nohy
🇨🇳 蹼足
🇸🇮 plavalne noge
🇮🇸 sundfætur
🇰🇿 суға арналған аяқ
🇬🇪 წყლის ფეხები
🇦🇿 suda olan ayaqlar
🇲🇽 pies palmeados
Etymology
The term 'webfeet' comes from the combination of 'web,' meaning a membrane or network, and 'feet,' which are the limbs of birds and other animals. The concept of webbed feet dates back to the early observations of waterfowl and their adaptations to aquatic environments. The word 'web' itself has Old English roots, derived from 'webb,' which means to weave, relating to the interconnected nature of the membrane between the toes. In zoology, the study of the adaptations of animals to their environments has highlighted the importance of webbed feet for swimming species. From the 16th century onwards, the term began to be more widely used in natural history books and ornithological studies, establishing webfeet as a significant feature in understanding avian and amphibian locomotion in water. This anatomical characteristic is not only crucial for survival but also reflects the evolutionary history of these animals as they adapted to their environments.