Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Tadpole

Tad′poleˊ

,
Noun.
[OE.
tadde
toad (AS.
tādie
,
tādige
) +
poll
; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See
Toad
, and
Poll
.]
1.
(Zool.)
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.
(Zool.)
The hooded merganser.
[Local, U. S.]
Tadpole fish
.
(Zool.)
See
Forkbeard
(a)
.

Similar Results