platypus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small densely furred aquatic monotreme of Australia and Tasmania having a broad bill and tail and webbed feet; only species in the family Ornithorhynchidae
    duckbill; Ornithorhynchus anatinus; duckbilled platypus; duck-billed platypus.

WordNet


Plat"y*pus noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. + foot.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The duck mole. See under Duck.

Webster 1913