‖ Pteropoda, n. pl. Zool.
(pt-, təˈrɒpədə)
[mod.L., = Gr. πτερόποδα, neuter pl. of πτερόπους wing-footed.]
A class or division of Mollusca, having the mesopodium or middle part of the foot expanded into a pair of lobes, like wings or flippers (the pteropodium), with which the animal swims.
| 1835 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 113 Pteropoda... Able to swim by means of two lateral musculo-cutaneous finlike expansions. 1851 Woodward Mollusca 7 The pteropoda only inhabit the sea, and swim with a pair of fins, extending outwards from the sides of the head. 1874 Wood Nat. Hist. 651 The Pteropoda or Wing-footed Molluscs. |
Hence pteˈropodan a., pertaining to the Pteropoda; n. a pteropod.