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tadpole
Definition
A tadpole is the larval stage of a frog or toad. It is a small, aquatic creature with a long tail.
Tadpoles live in water and eat algae and other small organisms. They have gills for breathing underwater.
As a tadpole grows, it undergoes metamorphosis. This means that it changes its body shape and form. The tadpole's tail shrinks, its legs grow, and it develops lungs for breathing air.
Once the tadpole has metamorphosed, it becomes a frog or toad. Frogs and toads live on land and breathe air.
How can the word be used?
The tadpoles swam around in the pond.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
a recently born creature with a large head, long tail, and no arms or legs, which lives in water and develops into a frog or toad.
Verb:
to metamorphose into a frog or toad.
Etymology
The word "tadpole" comes from Middle English "taddepol", made up of the elements "tadde", 'toad', and pol, 'head' (modern English poll). Similarly, pollywog / polliwog is from Middle English polwygle, made up of the same pol, 'head', and wiglen, 'to wiggle'.
The first recorded use of the word "tadpole" in English was in the 14th century.
The word "tadpole" is a cognate of the Dutch word "taddepol" and the German word "Tadpole", both of which mean "tadpole".
The literal meaning of the word "tadpole" is "a small toad".
The word "tadpole" can be used to refer to the immature form of a frog or toad, as well as to the adult form of the creature.
The word "tadpole" is a common word that is used in everyday speech. It is a useful word for understanding the development of frogs and toads.
Question
What are tadpoles?