decapod

[ dek-uh-pod ]

noun

1. any crustacean of the order Decapoda, having five pairs of walking legs, including the crabs, lobsters, crayfish, prawns, and shrimps.
2. any dibranchiate cephalopod having ten arms, as the cuttlefish or squid.
3. (initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, ten driving wheels, and no rear truck.

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the decapods.
2. having ten feet or legs.

decapod

/ ˈdɛkəˌpɒd; dɪˈkæpədəl /

noun

1. any crustacean of the mostly marine order Decapoda, having five pairs of walking limbs: includes the crabs, lobsters, shrimps, prawns, and crayfish
2. any cephalopod mollusc of the order Decapoda, having a ring of eight short tentacles and two longer ones: includes the squids and cuttlefish

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to either of these orders
2. (of any other animal) having ten limbs

decapod

/ dĕk′ə-pŏd′ /

1. Any of various crustaceans of the order Decapoda, characteristically having ten legs, each joined to a segment of the thorax. Crabs, hermit crabs, lobsters, and shrimp are decapods.
2. A cephalopod mollusk, such as a squid or cuttlefish, having ten armlike tentacles.

Derived Forms

• decapodal, adjective

Other Words From

• de·cap·o·dan [d, uh, -, kap, -, uh, -dn], adjective noun
• de·capo·dous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of decapod¹

First recorded in 1825–35, decapod is from the New Latin word Decapoda name of the order. See deca-, -pod

Example Sentences

But there is also a lot we don’t know, including about decapod crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp.

From BBC

But Democratic discord simmered beneath the pleasantries at the Feb. 23 decapod dinner.

From Los Angeles Times

A crab-like body plan has evolved at least five separate times among decapod crustaceans, a group that includes crabs, lobsters and shrimp.

From Scientific American

She is also trying to use genetic data to better understand the relationships among different decapod crustaceans, to more accurately pinpoint when various "crabby" lineages evolved, and pick apart the factors driving carcinization.

From Scientific American

“There is already sufficient evidence of sentience among cephalopods and decapod crustaceans,” Young said, urging the lords to watch “the award-winning documentary ‘My Octopus Teacher,’ which explores the rather bizarre and strange but nevertheless emotional relationship between a man and an octopus.”

From Washington Post