Limpet

Limpet
Limpet Lim"pet (l[i^]m"p[e^]t), n. [Prob. through French fr. L. lepas, -adis, Gr. lepa`s, -a`dos.] (Zo["o]l.) 1. In a general sense, any hatshaped, or conical, gastropod shell. [1913 Webster]

2. Any one of many species of marine shellfish of the order {Docoglossa}, mostly found adhering to rocks, between tides. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common European limpets of the genus {Patella} (esp. {Patella vulgata}) are extensively used as food. The common New England species is {Acm[ae]a testudinalis}. Numerous species of limpets occur on the Pacific coast of America, some of them of large size. [1913 Webster]

3. Hence: Somthing or someone that clings tenaciously to another object or person; specifically a military explosive device having magnets allowing it to cling to a metallic target object, such as the hull of a ship. [PJC]

3. Any species of {Siphonaria}, a genus of limpet-shaped Pulmonifera, living between tides, on rocks. [1913 Webster]

4. A keyhole limpet. See {Fissurella}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • limpet — marine gastropod mollusk, early 14c., from O.E. lempedu, from M.L. lampreda limpet (see LAMPREY (Cf. lamprey)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • limpet — ► NOUN ▪ a marine mollusc with a shallow conical shell and a muscular foot for clinging tightly to rocks. ORIGIN Latin lampreda limpet, lamprey …   English terms dictionary

  • limpet — [lim′pit] n. [ME lempet < OE lempedu < ML lempreda, limpet, LAMPREY] a gastropod mollusk of various families, mostly marine, with a single, low, cone shaped shell and a thick, fleshy foot, by means of which it clings to rocks, timbers, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Limpet — For the underwater explosive device, see Limpet mine. Limpet is a common name for a number of different kinds of saltwater and freshwater snails (aquatic gastropod mollusks); it is applied to those snails that have a simple shell which is more or …   Wikipedia

  • limpet — /lim pit/, n. any of various marine gastropods with a low conical shell open beneath, often browsing on rocks at the shoreline and adhering when disturbed. [bef. 1050; ME lempet, OE lempedu, nasalized var. of *lepedu < L lepada, acc. of lepas …   Universalium

  • limpet — n. 1 any of various marine gastropod molluscs, esp. the common limpet Patella vulgata, with a shallow conical shell and a broad muscular foot that sticks tightly to rocks. 2 a clinging person. Phrases and idioms: limpet mine a mine designed to be …   Useful english dictionary

  • limpet — UK [ˈlɪmpɪt] / US [ˈlɪmpət] noun [countable] Word forms limpet : singular limpet plural limpets 1) a small sea animal that has a shell and sticks tightly to rocks 2) someone who always wants to be with another person and refuses to leave them …   English dictionary

  • limpet — noun /ˈlɪmp.ɪt/ a) A small mollusc, of the family Patellidae with a conical shell found clinging to rocks in the intertidal zones of rocky shores. He stuck to me like a limpet all day! b) Someone dependant; someone disregarding or ignorant of… …   Wiktionary

  • limpet — noun Limpet is used before these nouns: ↑mine …   Collocations dictionary

  • limpet — lim|pet [ˈlımpıt] n [Date: 1000 1100; : Medieval Latin; Origin: lampreda limpet, lamprey ] a small sea animal with a shell, which holds tightly onto the rock where it lives …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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